Baghel's son arrested by ED in liquor 'scam'

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, in an alleged liquor scam-linked money laundering case, official sources said.

- AGENCIES RAIPUR

According to Bhupesh Baghel, the action came on Chaitanya's birthday. The junior Baghel was later sent to five-day ED remand by a court.

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 father-son duo reside at the same house.

Bhupesh Baghel alleged that central agencies were being misused to target opposition leaders, but 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.

A heavy posse of police personnel was seen outside the house of the Baghels, even as some party supporters gathered and protested the ED action.

ED sources said Chaitanya was arrested under Section 19 of the anti-money laundering law as he was allegedly not cooperating during the searches that came about following receipt of fresh evidence in the case.