Why Was Bhupesh Baghel’s Son Chaitanya Baghel Arrested by ED? The Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam Case Explained
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The political heat in Chhattisgarh has intensified after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel , in connection with the alleged ₹2,100 crore liquor scam. The arrest came under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following fresh raids at the Baghel residence in Bhilai.
Arrest Sparks Political Storm
According to ED officials, Chaitanya was uncooperative during the raid, prompting his immediate arrest. His father, Bhupesh Baghel, criticised the timing and motives behind the action, especially as it occurred on Chaitanya’s birthday. A crowd of Congress supporters gathered in protest as a heavy police force secured the area. Baghel termed the action as "political vendetta" and accused the BJP-led Centre of misusing federal agencies.
What Is the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam ?
The scam revolves around a large-scale scheme to divert government revenue from liquor sales between 2019 and 2022, during the Congress government’s rule in the state. The ED calls it a “massive conspiracy” run by a syndicate within the state Excise Department. This network, allegedly involving top officials, politicians, and private players, manipulated liquor distribution and licensing to earn unaccounted money.
Key Allegations in the Scam
Illegal Commissions on Country Liquor: Liquor suppliers were reportedly paying up to ₹75 per case in bribes to continue business through the state-run Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL). These funds were allegedly channelled to top political and bureaucratic figures.
Who Are the Main Accused?
Several influential individuals have been named by the ED and the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW):
The scam has widened significantly, with an FIR naming 70 individuals and companies, including former chief secretary Vivek Dhand. The ED alleges that instructions for fund distribution came “from the highest political executives.”
What Has Been Found?
So far, the ED has:
Political Repercussions
The Congress has strongly condemned the arrest. Former CM Bhupesh Baghel called it a move to “please their master” and 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… we will fight the battle of truth."
He added: “Nobody in any democracy in the world can give a birthday gift like Modi and Shah did. I will remember this for life."
Baghel also referred to an earlier raid where ₹33 lakh was recovered, yet no further action was taken.
The Congress boycotted the Assembly session, accusing the Centre of weaponising agencies like the ED, CBI, IT, and DRI to silence Opposition voices.
Why the Timing Raises Questions
Baghel claims that the arrest was aimed at derailing a planned Assembly debate on alleged environmental violations linked to the Adani Group in Tamnar. “Today is the last day of the session. We were set to raise the issue of trees being felled for Adani in Tamnar. Instead, Saheb has sent the ED to Bhilai Niwas."
Earlier this month, Baghel had visited Raigarh’s Tamnar region, where locals are protesting against deforestation caused by the Adani-operated coal mine. Though allotted to MAHAGENCO, the project’s operations are handled by the Adani Group as the Mine Developer and Operator (MDO).
Legal Timeline So Far
The ED’s original ECIR in the liquor scam case was quashed by the Supreme Court in 2024 since it stemmed from an Income Tax complaint. Later, the EOW and ACB filed a new FIR in January 2024, just weeks after the BJP took power in the state.
What Lies Ahead?
With the ED set to file more charge sheets and additional arrests expected, the case continues to unfold rapidly. Legal battles over arrest procedures and the admissibility of evidence may influence the final outcome.
As top politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen come under the scanner, the Chhattisgarh liquor scam remains not just a legal saga but a symbol of the deepening political fault lines in the state.
Arrest Sparks Political Storm
According to ED officials, Chaitanya was uncooperative during the raid, prompting his immediate arrest. His father, Bhupesh Baghel, criticised the timing and motives behind the action, especially as it occurred on Chaitanya’s birthday. A crowd of Congress supporters gathered in protest as a heavy police force secured the area. Baghel termed the action as "political vendetta" and accused the BJP-led Centre of misusing federal agencies.
What Is the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam ?
The scam revolves around a large-scale scheme to divert government revenue from liquor sales between 2019 and 2022, during the Congress government’s rule in the state. The ED calls it a “massive conspiracy” run by a syndicate within the state Excise Department. This network, allegedly involving top officials, politicians, and private players, manipulated liquor distribution and licensing to earn unaccounted money.
Key Allegations in the Scam
Illegal Commissions on Country Liquor: Liquor suppliers were reportedly paying up to ₹75 per case in bribes to continue business through the state-run Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL). These funds were allegedly channelled to top political and bureaucratic figures.
- Fake Holograms on Bottles: Contracts for bottle holograms were rigged to favour select firms. Duplicate stickers were used to sell illegal liquor under official outlets, bypassing the accounting system.
- Cash-Only Sales: A parallel liquor supply chain was set up, selling alcohol in cash without keeping any records, thus siphoning off revenue from the state.
- Manipulated Foreign Liquor Licences: The ED claims that FL-10A licences were granted in exchange for kickbacks, with a 10% cut per transaction going to the alleged syndicate.
Who Are the Main Accused?
Several influential individuals have been named by the ED and the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW):
- Kawasi Lakhma: The former Excise Minister is accused of collecting ₹2 crore monthly. A recent 1,200-page charge sheet claims he took bribes worth ₹64–72 crore. Properties worth ₹6.15 crore linked to him have been seized.
- Anwar Dhebar: Brother of Raipur’s Mayor, he is described as the syndicate’s key middleman. Though earlier arrested, the Allahabad High Court termed the arrest illegal.
- Anil Tuteja and Arunpati Tripathi: These senior officers allegedly played major roles in licensing and procurement manipulation.
- Chaitanya Baghel: ED claims he received a share of the scam proceeds. Raids on July 12 and 18 led to his arrest.
- Vijay Bhatia: A businessman from Bhilai, Bhatia was picked up in Delhi for coordinating the illegal commission flow.
The scam has widened significantly, with an FIR naming 70 individuals and companies, including former chief secretary Vivek Dhand. The ED alleges that instructions for fund distribution came “from the highest political executives.”
What Has Been Found?
So far, the ED has:
- Seized over ₹90 lakh in cash
- Confiscated gold, digital records, and property papers from 39 locations
- Attached assets worth more than ₹205 crore, including those linked to Lakhma and even the Congress office in Sukma
- Filed four charge sheets, with more expected
Political Repercussions
The Congress has strongly condemned the arrest. Former CM Bhupesh Baghel called it a move to “please their master” and 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… we will fight the battle of truth."
He added: “Nobody in any democracy in the world can give a birthday gift like Modi and Shah did. I will remember this for life."
Baghel also referred to an earlier raid where ₹33 lakh was recovered, yet no further action was taken.
The Congress boycotted the Assembly session, accusing the Centre of weaponising agencies like the ED, CBI, IT, and DRI to silence Opposition voices.
Why the Timing Raises Questions
Baghel claims that the arrest was aimed at derailing a planned Assembly debate on alleged environmental violations linked to the Adani Group in Tamnar. “Today is the last day of the session. We were set to raise the issue of trees being felled for Adani in Tamnar. Instead, Saheb has sent the ED to Bhilai Niwas."
Earlier this month, Baghel had visited Raigarh’s Tamnar region, where locals are protesting against deforestation caused by the Adani-operated coal mine. Though allotted to MAHAGENCO, the project’s operations are handled by the Adani Group as the Mine Developer and Operator (MDO).
Legal Timeline So Far
The ED’s original ECIR in the liquor scam case was quashed by the Supreme Court in 2024 since it stemmed from an Income Tax complaint. Later, the EOW and ACB filed a new FIR in January 2024, just weeks after the BJP took power in the state.
What Lies Ahead?
With the ED set to file more charge sheets and additional arrests expected, the case continues to unfold rapidly. Legal battles over arrest procedures and the admissibility of evidence may influence the final outcome.
As top politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen come under the scanner, the Chhattisgarh liquor scam remains not just a legal saga but a symbol of the deepening political fault lines in the state.
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