Did ED Conduct Raids at Former Chhattisgarh CM Baghel's Home Linked to His Son Chaitanya?

Raipur, July 18 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated new raids at the residence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's son, Chaitanya Baghel, as part of a money laundering investigation associated with an alleged liquor scam.

According to officials, the ED is conducting searches at Chaitanya Baghel's home in Bhilai, where he resides with his father, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This action follows the receipt of new evidence related to the case.

While the ED was conducting its operations, Bhupesh Baghel's office took to social media to suggest that the timing of these raids was politically motivated, coinciding with the Congress party's plan to address the issue of tree felling in Raigarh during the final day of the Monsoon Session of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.

This is not the first instance where Chaitanya Baghel has been scrutinized by the ED.

Earlier in March, the central agency had executed similar operations against him, indicating that he was suspected of receiving criminal proceeds from the liquor scandal.

The ongoing ED investigations into this liquor scam are not the only challenges former CM Baghel faces; he was also investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning the Mahadev betting app case back in March.

At that time, Baghel alleged that the CBI's actions were politically charged, occurring just before the Prime Minister's visit to the state on March 30.

Recently, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) conducted simultaneous raids across 39 locations tied to the Chhattisgarh liquor scandal, including areas in Durg-Bhilai, Dhamtari, and Mahasamund.

These operations resulted in the seizure of ₹90 lakh in cash, gold, silver, and various electronic devices.

In a separate operation, multiple teams arrived in Bhilai around 4 A.M. in four vehicles to conduct searches at various private residences.

The ED is currently investigating the liquor scam, which has led to an FIR filed with the ACB, alleging financial misappropriation exceeding ₹2,000 crore.

The findings from the ED's investigation indicate that during Bhupesh Baghel's administration, a syndicate of officials and private entrepreneurs orchestrated this fraudulent scheme.

According to the ACB's ongoing investigation, illegal liquor was distributed through government-operated outlets using counterfeit holograms between 2019 and 2022, resulting in significant revenue losses for the state.