Enforcement Directorate’s chargesheet names Bhupesh Baghel’s son as leader of illicit liquor operations in Chhattisgarh.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged in its chargesheet that Chaitanya Baghel, the son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, was the “controller and ultimate authority” of an organized liquor syndicate operating within the state. This claim was reported by The Indian Express on Tuesday, following the filing of the chargesheet before the court of District and Additional Sessions Judge Damarudhar Chouhan.
According to the agency, Chaitanya Baghel was involved in managing approximately Rs 1,000 crore that was reportedly generated from the alleged liquor scam. His arrest occurred on July 18 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, following searches conducted by the central agency at his residence in Bhilai, Durg district. An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated that fresh evidence prompted the arrest.
The ED’s chargesheet claims that the organized liquor syndicate was established in 2019, during Bhupesh Baghel’s tenure as Chief Minister. The agency pointed out that two co-accused individuals, Indian Administrative Services officer Anil Tuteja and Anward Dhebar, were designated to manage the daily operations of the syndicate. The ED characterized Chaitanya Baghel as holding a “commanding and decisive” role in the management of funds within this illicit operation.
The chargesheet alleges that Chaitanya Baghel was at the top of the syndicate, responsible for maintaining accounts of all illicit funds collected. It states that he made all major decisions regarding the collection, channelization, and distribution of these funds, thereby solidifying his position as the ultimate authority due to his familial connection to the Chief Minister.
Further, the ED accused Chaitanya Baghel of knowingly assisting in the concealment and use of proceeds from crime, acting in conspiracy with other members of the syndicate. This assertion was also reported by The Hindu, which stated that the agency’s claims were based on a statement from Laxmi Narayan Bansal, who allegedly revealed that he had handled over Rs 1,000 crore linked to the scam.
Chaitanya Baghel’s lawyer, Faisal Rizvi, has contested these allegations, asserting that the basis for the arrest rests on “fabricated statements”. Rizvi emphasized that Bansal, whose credibility is questionable due to an outstanding warrant from the Economic Offences Wing, cannot be considered a reliable witness. He further argued that Bansal’s statements were made to protect himself, as he was not named as an accused by the ED.
In a prior statement, Bhupesh Baghel suggested that the arrest of his son was politically motivated, attributing it to his opposition to the Adani coal mining project in Raigarh. He criticized the actions of agencies, stating that while Bansal has a non-bailable warrant against him, he continues to operate freely and provide statements.
The Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau registered an FIR in January 2024, based on complaints from the ED concerning the liquor scam. The FIR implicated 70 individuals, including notable figures such as former state Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma and Special Secretary Arun Pati Tripathi, who have been charged with various offenses under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Lakhma, a six-time MLA, was arrested in January, while the ED had previously filed a prosecution complaint related to the case, linking Lakhma and others to the latest developments in the investigation.
In March, the ED conducted searches at 14 locations in Durg district associated with Chaitanya Baghel, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding the allegations.
