Liquor Scam: ED Arrests Former CM Bhupesh Baghel's Son Chaitanya Baghel in ₹2,161 Crore Money Laundering Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the alleged ₹2,161 crore liquor scam. The arrest followed fresh raids conducted at Chaitanya's residence in Bhilai, where he lives with his father. The raids and arrest were made under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

According to ED sources, Chaitanya Baghel was taken into custody after investigators found fresh evidence and reportedly received unsatisfactory responses during questioning. Simultaneously, the agency also searched multiple locations, including the residence of Bhupesh Baghel, in Raipur and Bhilai.

Bhupesh Baghel Reacts

Reacting to the raids, Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel took to Instagram, writing, "ED has arrived. Today is the last day of the assembly session. I was to raise the issue of trees being cut in Tamnar for Adani. Sir has sent ED to the Bhilai residence."

Speaking to the media, he accused the central government of political vendetta, saying, “PM Modi and Amit Shah sent ED to please Adani. But we will not fear, we will not bow down. This is a fight for truth. The ED had come before as well, and we will continue to cooperate. We believe in the Constitution and the judiciary.”

The Liquor Scam: What ED Alleges

The ED's investigation alleges a massive liquor scam in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022, during the tenure of the previous Congress-led government. The scam allegedly involved a syndicate of bureaucrats, politicians, and liquor traders who controlled and manipulated the state-run liquor distribution system, allowing them to siphon off illicit gains of over ₹2,161 crore.

Key findings in the ED’s investigation include:

• Cash bribes were allegedly given to senior political figures including then Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma.

• Bribes were reportedly taken from liquor manufacturers and FL-10A license holders to facilitate foreign liquor entry into the market.

• The state-run Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation (CSMCL) allegedly bought liquor through manipulated processes.

• Unrecorded sales of raw liquor were uncovered, with funds being funneled into private hands instead of government coffers.

So far, the ED has attached assets worth ₹205 crore in connection with the case and continues its crackdown on those linked to the alleged syndicate.

Political Fallout

The arrest of Chaitanya Baghel has fueled political tensions in the state, with the Congress accusing the Centre of misusing central agencies to target opposition leaders. The BJP, meanwhile, has maintained that the ED is acting on concrete financial fraud.

As the investigation deepens and more political figures come under scrutiny, the case is likely to become a major flashpoint ahead of national elections and state-level political realignments.