Liquor Scam: ED arrests Chhattisgarh Ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel’s son after raiding Bhilai property

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with a money laundering probe linked to an alleged Rs 2,100-crore liquor scam.

In light of the arrest, severa party workers from Bhilai clashed with local police personnel as ED vehicles took the Congress leader's son into custody.

Baghel senior alleged that the ED action comes in response to the Congress' fight against the Adanis.


"Congress is fighting against Adani. This strategy has been adopted to muzzle the opposition. They are now targeting my son, so that no one can raise their voice against Adani," he told reporters post his son's arrest.


The arrest followed fresh raids at the Congress leader's Bhilai residence earlier in the day, which he shares with his son.

Read Also | ED raids ex-Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel's son's home in connection with liquor scam case

Liquor Scam: What are the allegations?

According to ED officials, the searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on new evidence pointing to Chaitanya Baghel's involvement. He is alleged to be a key beneficiary in the laundering of illicit funds generated through the scam.

This marks the second time the central probe agency has raided Chaitanya Baghel’s premises. A similar operation was carried out in March earlier this year.

Reacting to the raids, the Chattisgarh ex-CM posted on X said that the ED arrived at his residence on the last day of the assembly session. However, he did not comment further on the arrest.

The ED has previously alleged that Chaitanya Baghel received proceeds of crime from a liquor syndicate that defrauded the state exchequer. The agency claims the alleged scam siphoned off more than Rs 2,100 crore, enriching a network of politically connected individuals and liquor traders.

In January, the investigative body had arrested a slew of individuals in relation to the case. Among the people nabbed by the ED were ex-minister and Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma, Anwar Dhebar, the elder brother of Raipur Mayor and Congress leader Aijaz Dhebar, along with former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, and Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officer Arunpati Tripathi.