Will Chaitanya Baghel's Judicial Custody Extend Further in the Chhattisgarh Liquor Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Chaitanya Baghel remains in judicial custody until October 29.
- The remand extension aims for synchronized hearings for all accused.
- The case centers around a Rs 3,200 crore liquor scam.
- Investigations continue into the roles of high-profile figures.
- Accountability and governance are major themes of public interest.
Raipur, Oct 15 (NationPress) Chaitanya Baghel, the son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, will continue to be held in judicial custody until October 29. This decision comes after a special court in Raipur extended his remand by 14 days in relation to the staggering Rs 3,200 crore liquor scam case.
The court's ruling synchronizes the remand periods of all defendants in the case, which includes numerous politicians and business leaders, for a consolidated hearing on October 29. The court's choice to prolong the remand was made to facilitate coordinated hearings for all involved, as their previous remands were set to lapse on October 15.
The investigation is currently delving into the roles of several high-profile individuals implicated in the scandal.
As developments unfold, the case remains a significant topic of public and political discourse in Chhattisgarh, raising pressing questions about accountability and governance.
The forthcoming hearing on October 29 is poised to be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of this significant legal confrontation.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) investigations assert that Chaitanya Baghel was instrumental in channeling Rs 1,000 crore in illicit gains from the scam.
Reports suggest he directly invested Rs 16.70 crore into various companies and real estate ventures.
The EOW sought additional time to submit a charge sheet on October 13, with the court granting an extension until October 15. Despite this, the charge sheet remains outstanding, prompting the court to align remand periods for all defendants.
The Rs 3,200 crore liquor scam, recognized as Chhattisgarh’s largest financial scandal, stems from modifications to the state’s excise policy during the tenure of the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government (2019-2022).
The 2019 policy reform centralized government oversight over the procurement, distribution, and sale of liquor, allegedly allowing for the supply of counterfeit liquor, cash transactions, and favoritism towards liquor mafias. These irregularities are believed to have enabled extensive financial misappropriation.