In a significant development in the alleged multi-crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, following fresh raids at his residence in Bhilai.
The arrest came hours after ED teams conducted searches as part of an ongoing probe into suspected money laundering and illegal commissions linked to the alleged ₹2,161 crore liquor scam.
In response to the raid, the former CM’s office posted on social media, “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.”
According to ED officials, Chaitanya Baghel is believed to be a recipient of proceeds of crime from the scam, where a cartel of politicians, bureaucrats, and liquor businessmen is alleged to have manipulated the liquor supply chain between 2019 and 2022. The scam reportedly involved unaccounted sales, bribe-taking, and unauthorized distribution of liquor through government-run outlets.
Back in March, ED had seized ₹30 lakh from the residence of Bhupesh Baghel and his son during raids across 14 locations in Chhattisgarh.
The agency’s investigation stems from a report by the Income Tax Department, which flagged major irregularities in the state’s liquor trade. Several arrests have already been made in the case, including those of IAS officer Anil Tuteja and liquor trader Anwar Dhebar, brother of Raipur’s mayor.
Bhupesh Baghel has consistently maintained that the raids and legal actions are politically motivated, aimed at targeting the opposition ahead of key elections.
ED’s crackdown has intensified in recent months, targeting officials and associates of the previous Congress-led state government.
