Key Points
- ED (Enforcement Directorate) arrests Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in the state’s alleged liquor scam.
- ED conducted a raid at Bhupesh Baghel’s residence in Raipur early this morning.
- Arrest coincides with the last day of the assembly session, when opposition planned to raise the Tamnar tree-cutting controversy involving Adani.
- Bhupesh Baghel alleges political vendetta behind the ED action, linking it to central government interference.
- The case is part of a wider probe into alleged corruption in the Chhattisgarh excise department.
Raipur: In a major development that has sent shockwaves through Chhattisgarh’s political landscape, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday morning arrested Chaitanya Baghel, the son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the state’s sensational liquor scam case. The ED’s action comes amid escalating political tension between the state’s ruling and opposition parties.
ED Raids Bhupesh Baghel’s Residence, Makes High-Profile Arrest
At dawn, a team of ED officials arrived at Bhupesh Baghel’s Bhilai residence, swiftly commencing an extensive search operation linked to their ongoing investigation into the multi-crore excise scam. Shortly after the searches, Chaitanya Baghel was taken into custody, making headlines across the state.
Liquor Scam Investigation Intensifies
The liquor scam probe has been underway for months, focusing on massive alleged irregularities in liquor distribution and revenue collection during the Congress regime in Chhattisgarh. According to ED sources, Chaitanya Baghel is suspected of playing a key role in the illegal network that siphoned off proceeds from the state’s excise department. Several opposition leaders and bureaucrats are already under investigation.
Politics Heats Up as Assembly Session Concludes
The timing of the ED’s action is being scrutinized closely. Today marks the final day of the monsoon session of the Chhattisgarh Assembly, during which Bhupesh Baghel and his party had planned to raise pressing issues, including the controversial cutting of trees in the Tamnar region for an Adani-related project.
Reacting sharply to the ED raid earlier in the day, Bhupesh Baghel said, “ED has come. Today is the last day of the assembly session, and I was going to raise the issue of environmental destruction in Tamnar. This action is clearly orchestrated.” With a hint of sarcasm, he added, “Saheb (a jibe at central leadership) has sent the ED to my Bhilai residence.”
Political Reactions and Implications
Bhupesh Baghel has routinely accused the central government of targeting opposition leaders with central agencies to stifle dissent. He and his party allege that the current move is an attempt to distract from other state issues and suppress voices critical of corporate interests. The BJP, meanwhile, insists that the ED is acting independently and that the law will take its course.
What’s Next in The Liquor Scam Case?
Chaitanya Baghel will now be questioned by ED officials as part of their wider crackdown on money laundering and corruption in the state’s liquor business. Further arrests and raids are anticipated, with the case expected to have major repercussions both for Chhattisgarh politics and for future anti-corruption drives in India.
