Chhattisgarh liquor scam: ED raids former CM Bhupesh Baghel’s son and close aides

Chhattisgarh liquor scam: ED raids former CM Bhupesh Baghel’s son and close aides

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Monday at 14 locations across Chhattisgarh, including the residence of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with an alleged liquor scam.

The ED has accused a cartel of government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen of illegally collecting approximately Rs 2,161 crore through the sale of liquor in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022.

The agency claims the cartel manipulated the liquor supply chain, controlling the sale and distribution of alcohol through state-run shops.

A significant portion of the liquor sold was allegedly not accounted for in official records, with bribes reportedly collected from suppliers to facilitate these illegal sales.

The investigation stems from an earlier report by the Income Tax Department that flagged irregularities in the state’s liquor trade.

The ED has reportedly uncovered evidence linking Chaitanya Baghel to the “proceeds of crime” generated from the scam.

Investigators on Monday also searched the residence of businessman Laxmi Narayan Bansal, also known as Pappu Bansal, a close associate of Chaitanya.

The probe has already led to several high-profile arrests, including IAS officer Anil Tuteja and businessman Anwar Dhebar, the brother of Raipur’s mayor.

In January, the ED arrested former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma, accusing him of playing a central role in the scam and accepting Rs 2 crore in illegal payments each month. The agency alleges that funds from the scam were funneled into real estate investments, causing substantial losses to the state exchequer.

In response, Bhupesh Baghel’s office dismissed the raids as politically motivated. In a post on X, the former CM’s office stated: “When the false case going on for seven years was dismissed in court, the ED arrived at the Bhilai residence of former Chief Minister and Congress General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel this morning. If someone is trying to stop Congress in Punjab through this conspiracy, they are mistaken.”

The ED alleges that the scam took place under the Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022. So far, the agency has attached assets worth Rs 205 crore from various individuals involved in the case.