Is Chaitanya Baghel Facing ED Custody in the Chh’garh Liquor Scam?

Raipur, Aug 19 (NationPress) In a pivotal turn of events regarding the investigation into Chhattisgarh's alleged Rs 2,100 crore liquor scam, a special PMLA court has granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custodial remand for Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, until August 23.

While the ED requested a five-day remand, the court sanctioned only four days following a contentious exchange during the proceedings, necessitating Baghel's presence in court on the 23rd of this month.

In the meantime, defense counsel Faizal Rizwi announced, “We will approach the High Court tomorrow.” He articulated that the ED's remand application was filed on Monday and heard on Tuesday.

During the hearing, the ED referenced provisions from the recently enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), particularly Section 187(3), asserting that within a 40-day span, custodial remand can be administered in segments of up to 15 days.

However, the defense vehemently disputed this interpretation. Rizvi contended that both the arrest and the ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) were initiated before the BNS took effect on July 1, 2024.

Thus, he argued, the case should fall under Section 531 of the BNS, which clearly states that any investigation or FIR registered before July 1, 2024, must adhere to the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) rather than the new BNS framework.

Chaitanya Baghel, arrested by the ED on July 18 at his residence in Bhilai, has been held in Raipur Central Jail under judicial custody since July 20. His arrest followed extensive raids resulting in the recovery of financial documentation allegedly linked to illicit activities.

The ED asserts that Chaitanya was a key figure in laundering over Rs 1,000 crore of “proceeds of crime” generated through the liquor syndicate, with Rs 16.7 crore reportedly funneled into real estate projects.

During the hearing on Monday, Special Judge Damrudhar Chauhan chastised the ED's legal team for presenting an incomplete remand application.

The court highlighted several procedural errors and instructed the agency to rectify the documentation before moving forward.

Chaitanya's counsel forcefully opposed the remand request, arguing that the ED failed to substantiate the necessity for further custodial interrogation.

This liquor scam, which is said to have transpired between 2019 and 2022 under the Congress-led government, allegedly involved off-the-books sales of country liquor, manipulation of foreign liquor licenses, and cartel-like practices via the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL).

The ED alleges that bribes were exchanged for market share, with directives originating from the “highest political executives” of the state. Both Bhupesh Baghel and his son are named as accused in this case.

Recently, the Supreme Court permitted them to approach the Chhattisgarh High Court to seek interim relief and contest the legality of the investigation.

The upcoming hearing, expected later this week, continues to fuel political tensions in the state, as the ED amplifies its inquiry into one of Chhattisgarh's largest alleged financial scandals.