NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday raided the premises of former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel as part of its probe into an alleged liquor scam linked to a money laundering case involving his son, Chaitanya Baghel, official sources said.
Searches were conducted at Chaitanya Baghel’s residence in Bhilai, which he shares with his father, along with multiple other locations across the state. Sources indicated that about 14-15 premises were being searched under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Officials stated that certain links between Chaitanya Baghel and the liquor syndicate had emerged, which are now under investigation. The ED had earlier alleged that the Chhattisgarh liquor scam resulted in a massive loss to the state exchequer, while the beneficiaries of the syndicate amassed over Rs 2,100 crore in proceeds of crime.
Reacting to the raid, Bhupesh Baghel’s office said, “When the false case going on for seven years was dismissed in the court, today, the guests of ED entered the Bhilai residence of former CM and Congress General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel this morning. If someone is trying to stop Congress in Punjab through this conspiracy, then it is a misunderstanding.”
In January, the ED arrested former minister and Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma in connection with the case. Other key arrests include Anwar Dhebar, the elder brother of Raipur Mayor and Congress leader Aijaz Dhebar, former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, and Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officer Arunpati Tripathi, among others.
According to the agency, the alleged liquor scam was orchestrated between 2019 and 2022, when the Congress government led by Bhupesh Baghel was in power.
So far, the ED has attached assets worth about Rs 205 crore belonging to various accused as part of its probe.
