ED arrests Bhupesh Baghel’s son in ₹2,160-crore Chhattisgarh liquor scam

Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday in connection with a money laundering investigation related to an alleged ₹2,160-crore liquor scam. He was summoned for questioning to the Old Bhilai Police Station around 11 a.m. and was arrested later in the day based on what the agency described as “fresh evidence.” The arrest took place on Chaitanya’s birthday.

According to the ED, Chaitanya Baghel is suspected of being one of the recipients of the proceeds generated from the alleged liquor scam. The agency claims that between 2019 and 2022, a parallel liquor distribution network was operated in Chhattisgarh, where unaccounted liquor from distilleries was supplied directly to government-run shops without paying duties or license fees. This reportedly caused significant financial losses to the state exchequer.

During a press briefing earlier in the day, Bhupesh Baghel alleged misuse of central agencies to target opposition leaders. He said, "To please their master, Modi and Shah have sent the ED to my house. We are not going to be scared or bow down... On my son Chaitanya's birthday, an ED team is raiding my house. Thanks for these gifts. I will remember them for life."

Baghel also linked the timing of the ED’s action to his plans to raise the issue of tree felling at a coal mine project in Raigarh, which had been allotted to Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO), with the Adani Group appointed as the developer. He had recently visited the site and supported the villagers opposing the project. Congress also alleged that the raid was carried out to stop him from raising the issue in the Assembly.

The ED has made several arrests in the case earlier, including former minister Kawasi Lakhma, Anwar Dhebar (brother of Raipur Mayor), ex-IAS officer Anil Tuteja, and Indian Telecom Service officer Arunpati Tripathi. The agency has attached assets worth ₹205 crore belonging to various accused. After the Supreme Court quashed the initial ECIR in 2024, a fresh FIR was registered by the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing on January 17, 2024, naming 70 individuals and entities, including former chief secretary Vivek Dhand. The ED alleges that the proceeds were distributed under the direction of senior political leaders.