SC irked as ED seeks adjournment in Chaitanya Baghel bail plea
Synopsis
The Supreme Court publicly rebuked the Enforcement Directorate for seeking an adjournment in the Chaitanya Baghel bail cancellation case — the same plea the agency had urgently pushed to list. CJI Surya Kant's remark that the bench 'read files overnight' for these cases signals mounting judicial impatience with the ED's courtroom conduct in high-profile PMLA matters.
Key Takeaways
The Supreme Court on 17 June deferred the ED's plea to cancel bail granted to Chaitanya Baghel in the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam .
CJI Surya Kant rebuked the ED, saying: 'First, it's list it, list it; then comes the adjournment.
We read files overnight for these cases.' The Chhattisgarh High Court had granted bail in January 2026 , ruling Chaitanya Baghel's alleged role was 'largely inferential and derivative.' The ED alleges Chaitanya Baghel handled nearly ₹1,000 crore in proceeds of crime from the liquor syndicate.
The scam, estimated to involve thousands of crores, is being probed by both the ED and the Chhattisgarh ACB/EOW .
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 17 June deferred its hearing on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in the alleged multi-crore Chhattisgarh liquor scam case. The bench expressed open displeasure after the ED sought more time, having itself pushed for an urgent listing.
Court's Sharp Rebuke
A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana adjourned the matter after the ED's counsel requested additional time to argue its case. The bench did not hold back its frustration, remarking: 'First, it's list it, list it; then comes the adjournment. We read files overnight for these cases.' The remark pointedly called out the agency's pattern of seeking urgent listings only to then seek delays.
Background: The Bail Order Under Challenge
The ED has filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging a Chhattisgarh High Court order that granted bail to Chaitanya Baghel under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In January 2026, a single-judge bench of Justice Arvind Kumar Verma enlarged Chaitanya Baghel on bail. He had been arrested by the ED in July 2025 during its probe into the alleged scam, said to have operated between 2019 and 2023.
The High Court had observed that Chaitanya Baghel was 'not alleged to have held any official or statutory position' in the Excise Department or state-run liquor corporations. It further noted that the allegations rested primarily on statements recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA and on his alleged association with other accused — with the role attributed to him described as 'largely inferential and derivative in nature' and not founded on any specific overt act directly attributable to him.
Justice Verma had held that 'continued incarceration of the applicant would convert the presumption of innocence into a hollow promise,' noting that the trial was unlikely to conclude soon given the large number of accused, witnesses, and documents involved.
What the ED Alleges
The ED has alleged that Chaitanya Baghel played a central role in the liquor syndicate and handled nearly ₹1,000 crore in proceeds of crime. According to the agency, the racket involved illegal commissions on liquor sales, unaccounted liquor production, and diversion of excise revenue, causing substantial losses to the state exchequer.
The alleged scam, estimated to involve proceeds running into thousands of crores of rupees, is being jointly investigated by the ED and the Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offences Wing (ACB/EOW). Multiple charge sheets and prosecution complaints have been filed naming several politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen.
What Happens Next
The Supreme Court has deferred the matter without setting an immediate fresh date for arguments. The ED will need to be ready to argue its plea at the next listing — and the bench's remarks signal that further adjournments are unlikely to be received favourably. The case remains a high-profile test of PMLA bail jurisprudence, particularly around the threshold for cancelling bail already granted by a High Court.
Point of View
A tactic that effectively prolongs pre-trial custody. The High Court's finding that Chaitanya Baghel's role was 'inferential and derivative' also raises a deeper question: in sprawling multi-accused scam cases, how far can association-based allegations sustain prolonged incarceration? The Supreme Court's next hearing on this plea will be closely watched as a signal on where the bench draws that line.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Supreme Court defer the ED's plea in the Chaitanya Baghel case?
The Supreme Court deferred the hearing on 17 June after the ED itself sought more time to argue its bail cancellation plea, despite having pushed for an urgent listing. The bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, expressed open displeasure at the adjournment request.
Who is Chaitanya Baghel and why was he arrested?
Chaitanya Baghel is the son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. He was arrested by the ED in July 2025 in connection with the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam, which is said to have operated between 2019 and 2023 and involved illegal commissions, unaccounted liquor production, and diversion of excise revenue.
Why did the Chhattisgarh High Court grant bail to Chaitanya Baghel?
In January 2026, Justice Arvind Kumar Verma granted bail after finding that Chaitanya Baghel held no official position in the Excise Department and that the allegations against him were 'largely inferential and derivative.' The court also noted that prolonged incarceration without a foreseeable trial conclusion would undermine the presumption of innocence.
What does the ED allege against Chaitanya Baghel?
The ED alleges that Chaitanya Baghel played a key role in the liquor syndicate and handled nearly ₹1,000 crore in proceeds of crime. The agency claims the racket involved illegal commissions on liquor sales, unaccounted production, and diversion of excise revenue, causing major losses to the state exchequer.
What is the Chhattisgarh liquor scam?
The alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam refers to an alleged racket said to have operated between 2019 and 2023, involving illegal commissions on liquor sales, unaccounted liquor production, and diversion of excise revenue. Estimated to involve proceeds running into thousands of crores, it is being investigated by both the ED and the Chhattisgarh ACB/EOW, with multiple charge sheets naming politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen.
