Former CM’s son Chaitnaya Baghel arrested in Chhattisgarh liquor scam

Raipur, July 18 – Chaitnaya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday in connection with an alleged ₹2,100 crore liquor scam and money laundering case.

The arrest, made under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), followed fresh raids at Chaitnaya’s residence in Bhilai town, Durg district – a home he shares with his father. Officials cited non-cooperation during the searches as a key reason for the arrest.

A heavy police presence was seen outside the Baghel residence, where some Congress supporters gathered. The arrest coincided with Chaitnaya Baghel’s birthday, as noted by the former chief minister.

Bhupesh Baghel, a senior Congress leader and currently in-charge of the Punjab Congress unit, suggested political motivations behind the ED action. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he pointed out that the arrest took place on the final day of the Chhattisgarh Assembly’s monsoon session, when the controversial felling of trees for an Adani-linked coal project in Tamnar was scheduled for debate.

Earlier this month, Bhupesh Baghel had visited Tamnar to support villagers protesting deforestation for the coal mine allotted to MAHAGENCO, where the Adani group is the contracted mine developer.

The ED alleges that Chaitnaya Baghel received proceeds from a widespread liquor syndicate scam that operated between 2019 and 2022, during the Congress-led government. The scam reportedly caused massive losses to the state treasury while enriching a politically connected network.

So far, the ED has attached assets worth over ₹205 crore and arrested several high-profile individuals, including former minister Kawasi Lakhma, bureaucrats Anil Tuteja and Arunpati Tripathi, and Anwar Dhebar – brother of Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar.

Although the Supreme Court had earlier quashed the ED’s initial case, a fresh FIR was filed by the Chhattisgarh EOW/ACB in January 2024 based on new material from the ED. The fresh investigation names 70 individuals and entities, including top bureaucrats and politicians. (Agencies)