ED Raids Bhupesh Baghel’s Home, Son Arrested Over Liquor Scam
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today conducted fresh raids at former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s Bhilai residence, leading to the arrest of his son, Chaitanya Baghel, in connection with the alleged ₹2,100 crore liquor scam. This high-profile action has intensified the political storm brewing in Chhattisgarh.
ED Intensifies Probe: Raids and High-Profile Arrest
In a dramatic turn of events, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday carried out extensive search operations at the Bhilai residence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The raids culminated in the arrest of his son, Chaitanya Baghel, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged multi-crore liquor scam in the state. This development marks a significant escalation in the ED's probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and has sent ripples through the political landscape of Chhattisgarh, drawing sharp reactions from the Congress party.
The action comes months after similar raids were conducted in March this year and signifies the agency's intensified efforts to unravel the alleged financial irregularities that reportedly caused a massive loss to the state exchequer during the previous Congress government's tenure.
The Morning Raids and Chaitanya Baghel's Arrest
Early this morning, ED officials, accompanied by a heavy contingent of CRPF personnel, arrived at the residence shared by Bhupesh Baghel and his son in Bhilai, Durg district. The searches, which lasted several hours, were conducted based on fresh evidence gathered by the agency in the ongoing **liquor scam** investigation.
Key Details of the Arrest:
- Target: The primary focus of the search action was reportedly Chaitanya Baghel, who has been under the ED's scanner as a suspected "recipient" of the proceeds of crime generated from the alleged scam.
- Timing: Notably, the arrest coincided with Chaitanya Baghel's birthday, a fact highlighted by Bhupesh Baghel in his reaction.
- Grounds for Arrest: Sources indicate that Chaitanya Baghel was arrested under Section 19 of the PMLA, allegedly for non-cooperation during the searches.
This latest action underscores the ED's determination to pursue the money laundering aspect of the case, targeting individuals believed to have benefited from the alleged illegal liquor trade.
Unpacking the Alleged ₹2,100 Crore Liquor Scam
The **Chhattisgarh liquor scam** is a complex case involving allegations of a cartel comprising government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen. The ED claims this syndicate illegally collected approximately ₹2,161 crore from liquor sales in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022, during the tenure of the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government.
The alleged modus operandi involved manipulation of the entire liquor supply chain:
- Illegal Commissions: Bribes were allegedly collected from distillers for liquor procured by the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL), the state body for liquor purchase and sale.
- Unaccounted Sales: A significant portion of liquor, particularly country liquor, was allegedly sold "off-the-books" through government-run shops, with the proceeds siphoned off and not reaching the state exchequer.
- Cartelization: Distillers were allegedly allowed to form a cartel with fixed market shares in exchange for commissions.
- Fake Holograms: There are also allegations of using fake holograms to legalize the sale of unaccounted liquor.
The investigation is based on an earlier Income Tax Department report that flagged irregularities. The ED has previously arrested several key accused, including former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar (brother of Raipur's mayor), and former minister Kawasi Lakhma. Assets worth about ₹205 crore have been attached by the agency so far in this investigation.
Political Storm: Congress Reacts to ED Action
The ED's latest actions have ignited a fresh political firestorm in Chhattisgarh. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel swiftly reacted to the raids and his son's arrest, alleging political vendetta by the central government.
Bhupesh Baghel's Response:
- Allegation of Misuse of Agencies: Baghel posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "ED has arrived. Today is the last day of the Assembly session. The issue of trees being cut in Tamnar for Adani was supposed to be raised today. 'Saheb' has sent the ED to the Bhilai residence." He further thanked PM Modi and Amit Shah for the "birthday gift" to his son, implying political targeting.
- "Murder of Democracy": He accused the central government of misusing investigative agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax to suppress opposition leaders and "murder democracy."
- Commitment to Fight: Baghel asserted that he would not be scared or bow down and would continue to fight for the truth.
The Congress party has echoed Baghel's sentiments, condemning the raids and arrest as a politically motivated move aimed at discrediting the opposition, especially ahead of future electoral battles. This high-stakes legal and political battle is expected to dominate headlines and influence the political discourse in Chhattisgarh for the foreseeable future.
Legal Trajectory and Future Implications
The ED's investigation into the Chhattisgarh liquor scam has seen several twists and turns. In 2024, the Supreme Court had quashed the ED's first ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) in this case, which was based on an Income Tax Department complaint. However, the federal agency later filed a fresh case after the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a new FIR based on material shared by the ED.
The EOW/ACB FIR, registered in January last year (a month after the BJP defeated the Congress in the 2023 assembly polls), named 70 individuals and companies, including former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma and former chief secretary Vivek Dhand. The ED alleges that the illegal commission generated through the scam was shared "as per the directions from the highest political executives of the state."
The arrest of Chaitanya Baghel signifies a deepening of the probe, moving closer to the alleged beneficiaries of the scam. The case is likely to proceed with further interrogations, potential additional arrests, and eventual filing of charge sheets, keeping the political temperature high in Chhattisgarh.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Chhattisgarh Politics
The ED raids on former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel's residence and the subsequent arrest of his son, Chaitanya Baghel, in the alleged ₹2,100 crore liquor scam mark a pivotal moment in the state's political landscape. This aggressive action by the central agency, coming amidst strong accusations of political vendetta from the Congress, sets the stage for an intense legal and political confrontation. As the investigation unfolds, its implications will undoubtedly resonate deeply within Chhattisgarh's political circles, shaping public perception and influencing future electoral dynamics.
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