SC questions ED probe into C’garh liquor case against Baghel’s son

The Supreme Court on Friday raised questions over the Enforcement Directorate investigation in the ₹2000-crore Chhattisgarh liquor case, saying the probe was being carried out without the mandatory sanction of the Magistrate required under the criminal procedure law.

- Abraham Thomas

The court's remarks came while it issued a notice to the agency on a plea challenging the arrest of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, in the case.

The petition has challenged the Chhattisgarh high court’s October order, which upheld Chaitanya’s arrest. The top court told ED to file its response within 10 days, and posted the matter for hearing after two weeks.

The bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said, “More than the grounds of arrest, this petition is about the interpretation of section 193 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). How long can you continue with further investigation and stall proceedings in trial. This is the issue that needs to be examined.”