Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: Former CM Bhupesh Baghel’s Son Chaitanya Arrested by ED in ₹2,100 Cr Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's son, Chaitanya Baghel, in connection with an alleged Rs 2,161 crore liquor scam.

The ED made the arrest after conducting a raid at the premises of his house. The searches were part of the agency's broader crackdown on suspected money laundering and irregularities linked to the multi-crore scam.

The move comes months after the agency in March this year seized Rs 30 lakh recovered from the residence of Bhupesh Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya.

The amount was recovered during day-long search operation conducted at a total of 14 locations across Chhattisgarh in the case pertains to alleged irregularities in the liquor trade in Chhattisgarh, involving suspected illegal commissions and money laundering.

Bhupesh Baghel has alleged that political vendetta is the reason behind the raid at his house.

Earlier, the senior Baghel told ANI, “Modi & Shah have sent the ED (Enforcement Directorate) to my residence. We will not be scared. We will not bow down before them. They are targeting all opposition leaders in the country. ED had visited my residence earlier as well. We will fully cooperate with the agencies. We have faith in democracy and the judiciary."

Congress workers staged a protest outside the residence of Bhupesh Baghel in response to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids conducted at his residence this morning.

Regarding the raids, Chhattisgarh Dy CM Vijay Sharma said, “ED is a central agency and only they can tell the entire matter. But he (Bhupesh Baghel) cannot mislead people - there were innovations and broadcasting in corruption... This might have been the reason (of the raid).”

The ED has alleged that a cartel of government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen ran a scheme that illegally collected around Rs 2,161 crore from the sale of liquor in the state between 2019 and 2022. The alleged scam involved manipulation of the liquor supply chain, where a cartel controlled the sale and distribution of alcohol through government-run shops.

A portion of liquor sold was not accounted for in official records, and bribes were allegedly collected from suppliers to allow its sale outside the legal system.

The investigation is based on an earlier Income Tax Department report, which flagged irregularities in the liquor trade.
Earlier, the ED had arrested several key accused, including IAS officer Anil Tuteja and liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, brother of Raipur's mayor.

The agency has earlier conducted multiple raids, including on politicians and bureaucrats linked to the previous Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh.

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