The CBI has booked Bharatanatyam dancer and former Sangeet Natak Akademi chairperson Leela Samson for alleged “unfruitful expenditure” in a Rs 7.02-crore project to renovate the Koothambalam auditorium of the Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, officials said on Saturday.

Samson, a Padma Shri awardee, is also a former chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification.

The officials said Samson has been booked along with some then officers of the Foundation, including chief accounts officer T.S. Murthi, accounts officer S. Ramachandran, engineering officer V. Srinivasan and the proprietor of CARD and Chennai Engineers.

The CBI also conducted searches on the residential premises of the accused.

In a complaint to the CBI, the chief vigilance officer of the culture ministry had alleged that the Foundation officers awarded the contract for the renovation to consultant architect CARD in violation of general finance rules (GFR), the officials said.

After conducting an inquiry in 2016, the ministry had alleged that the 84-year-old Foundation had spent Rs 62.20 lakh more than the estimated amount on the Rs 7.02-crore project.

The estimation given by the Central Public Works Department revealed that the contracts were awarded at a higher rate and the payments made to the contractors accordingly, according to an FIR registered in connection with the case.

Samson was the director of the Foundation between May 6, 2005, and April 30, 2012.

The officials said it was felt in 2006 that the auditorium, built by the Foundation in 1985, needed renovations. The project was aimed at upgrading the sound system, followed by civil engineering works, electrical works, air-conditioning and architectural features, the CBI FIR said.

It said a governing body meeting held in 2009 decided to form a civil works advisory committee and Samson and two others were to prepare the necessary estimation based on the recommendations of the governing board.