The Central Bureau of Investigation’s Delhi based Anti-Corruption Branch today booked a retired senior IAS officer of the Punjab government, Arvind Mahajan, on charges of cheating and under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, in the ongoing investigation of the multi-crore Punjab Wireless Limited (Punwire) scam.

Following the registration of FIR against Mahajan after almost 15 years, a CBI team today raided Mahajan’s residence in Sector 10, in Panchkula. Sources, however, say he is out of India at present. He was booked on charges of allegedly siphoning off money belonging to various Punjab State Boards and Corporations in favour of Punwire and also in favour of a relative. While the CBI is investigating the matter, the officials claimed to have seized some vital documents from his residence.

Mahajan, who was posted as Deputy Director (Investment Cell), Ministry of Finance, Punjab, in early 90s had allegedly siphoned off around Rs 30 lakh, in violation of the rules. The CBI was probing into the multi-crore Punwire scam since the last 8 years. In 2002, it had filed chargesheets in the 24 FIRs registered in connection with the scam.

A profit-making company for over 20 years since its establishment in 1975, the company with its expertise in wireless communication technology had shot into limelight for the establishment of the prestigious communication link between Dakshin Gangotri (Antarctica) and New Delhi. The operations of the company came to a grinding halt in 1999, following the unearthing of the scam. The company was locked for liquidation in July 2000, and the final winding up orders was passed in February 2001 by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.