Chhattisgarh's Ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel's Son in ED's Net, Bhilai Residence, Other Premises Raided

Raipur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted searches at the residence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, his son Chaitanya Baghel, and others in connection with an alleged multi-crore liquor scam, sources said.  

The raids, which began early in the morning, are being carried out at 14 locations across Chhattisgarh. The case involves alleged irregularities in the state’s liquor trade, with suspicions of illegal commissions and money laundering.  

ED’s Allegations Against Baghel’s Son  

According to ED sources, Chaitanya Baghel is a "recipient of proceeds of crime" linked to the liquor scam, in which around ₹2,161 crore was allegedly siphoned off through various schemes. The agency claims that a cartel of government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen controlled the liquor supply chain, manipulating sales through government-run shops. A portion of liquor sales was allegedly unaccounted for, while bribes were collected from suppliers to facilitate off-the-record transactions.  

The ED's investigation is based on a report by the Income Tax Department, which flagged financial irregularities in the liquor trade. Several key accused have already been arrested, including IAS officer Anil Tuteja and liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, brother of Raipur’s mayor.  

Baghel Calls Raids a ‘Political Vendetta’  

Reacting to the ED searches, Bhupesh Baghel’s office posted on X, “When the false case going on for seven years was dismissed in court, the ED has now entered Bhupesh Baghel’s residence in Bhilai. If someone is trying to stop Congress in Punjab through this conspiracy, then it is a misunderstanding.”  

Baghel has previously accused central agencies of being used for political purposes, particularly against opposition leaders.  

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Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Defends ED Action  

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao defended the ED’s action, saying it was based on a long-running investigation. "How can one deny that there were big scams during Bhupesh Baghel’s tenure? This is not a sudden action. ED has been investigating for a long time. If they found some facts and suspicions, they acted accordingly. If someone has no role in it, then there’s no need to panic,” he said.  

The ED has conducted multiple raids in Chhattisgarh over the alleged liquor scam, targeting politicians and bureaucrats linked to the previous Congress-led government. The agency claims that between 2019 and 2022, a network of officials and businessmen illegally collected huge sums from the state’s liquor trade.