Baghel’s son held in liquor sale case, ex-CM hits back

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with irregularities in the sale of liquor at state-run outlets during the latter's tenure as chief minister between 2019 and 2022.

- Ritesh Mishra

Chaitanya was taken into custody by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following fresh early morning raids conducted at his residence in Bhilai town of Durg district. The central agency produced him in the court of Special Judge (Prevention of Money Laundering Act-PMLA), which granted his custodial remand to the ED till July 22.

Following the ED action, Bhupesh Baghel alleged that central agencies were being misused to target opposition leaders, but that he trusted the judiciary and would cooperate with them. Congress MLAs boycotted the proceedings of the state assembly for the day as a mark of protest against the arrest and accused the agency of trying to harass the opposition.

According to ED’s remand application, Chaitanya allegedly received ₹16.70 crore in proceeds of crime through two firms linked to him, with ₹5 crore routed via M/s Saheli Jewellers. Of this, ₹4.5 crore remains unpaid and interest-free, which the agency said suggests that the transaction was a front for laundering illicit cash.