The Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI has registered FIR to probe alleged irregularities in the sale of 21 state-owned sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mayawati in 2011-12.

It is alleged that the mills were sold below market price leading to a loss of 1 thousand 179 crore rupees to the state exchequer. The agency has also registered six preliminary enquiries to probe the alleged irregularities.

The Uttar Pradesh government had recommended a CBI probe in the matter in April last year. It had also sought probe into forgery and cheating in the purchase of seven closed mills in Deoria, Bareilly, Laxmi Ganj, Hardoi, Ramkola, Chittauni and Barabanki.

Seven private persons, who had allegedly submitted forged documents during the purchase of the Uttar Pradesh State Sugar Corporation Limited mills have been booked by the agency.

However, the agency has not named as accused any official of the Uttar Pradesh government or any politician of the state. The case was being probed by Lucknow Police.