ED Arrests Bhupesh Baghel’s Son Chaitanya in Rs 2,160 Crore Liquor Scam Case

New Delhi (India) July 19: Chaitanya Baghel is the son of Congressman and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. He was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday. 

This is done in relation to a money laundering case involving a purported liquor fraud. After that, an ED court put Chaitanya Baghel on five-day remand in relation to the case.

ED Action on Birthday

Chaitanya Baghel was arrested on her birthday after searches earlier in the day by central authorities. The ED claims that the action was started when new evidence in the case was received.

After court, Chaitanya Baghel will be brought to the ED headquarters for additional interrogation. The ED claims that Chaitanya Baghel is suspected of being the "recipient" of the money obtained from the suspected Rs 2,160-crore liquor scam. The scam took place between 2019 and 2022. Bhupesh Baghel was leading the Congress administration at that time.

Political Reactions

Bhupesh Baghel told the reporters during the raid that opposition leaders were being singled out by the central authorities. But he has faith in the legal system and will work with them. 

He claimed that the ED's move came just as the assembly was about to discuss the Adani group's planned tree-cutting for a coal mine project.

Baghel also questioned why the raid took place on the same day as his son Chaitanya's birthday. He said, "Nobody in any democracy in the world can give a birthday gift like the one Modi and Shah have given".

Earlier Arrests

Anwar Dhebar, the older brother of Raipur Mayor and Congress leader Aijaz Dhebar, former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officer Arunpati Tripathi and several other people were arrested by the ED in January in connection with this liquor scam case. The agency has so far seized assets from a number of accused people totaling over Rs 205 crore.

The ED claims that the commissions from the illegal distribution of alcohol were disbursed "as per the directions from the highest political executives of the state.”

The state exchequer suffered significant losses as a result of the agency's allegations that a "parallel" liquor distribution system was in place. The unaccounted alcohol produced at distilleries was distributed directly to government-run stores without the necessary customs and fees being paid.

The son of former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, Chaitanya Baghel is a businessman. Despite being a member of the Congress, Chaitanya has made the decision to stay out of politics. He manages the vegetable farm owned by the Baghel family. He has never held a position in the party.

Aadrika Tayal