ED Raids Ex-Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel’s Son Chaitanya in Liquor Scam Probe :

On March 10 the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probed into an alleged liquor scam that runs into multiple crores, and the anti money laundering agency claims there are more than five people involved. They searched numerous locations in the state of Chhattisgarh, including the residence of the former Chief Minister Baghel and his son's place in Bhilai.

Sources allege that the ED used the information of Chaitanya Baghel supposedly receiving money from the crimes associated with the liquor scam to raid his premises. It has been reported that around Rs 2161 crores were embezzled via several methods between the years 2019 and 2023 under the scam.

Baghel, from the Congress party, was the Chief Minister from 2018 to 2023 and disclosed on social media a few hours post the inquiry by ED that he was the one who had saved the cash of around Rs 33 lakh, which he said came as dividends from family business of agriculture and dairy. Besides, he mentioned that the agency seized a pen drive containing a chat regarding finances with Manturam and Puneet, the son-in-law of Raman Singh, and documents linked to SAIL with his son Abhishek Singh.

Who is Chaitanya Baghel?

Chaitanya is currently managing the family’s vegetable farm, previously having worked in real estate. His father is the Former Chief Minister of Chhattigarh and is a member of the Congress party.

Chaitanya was reportedly not so keen on entering into the political scene up until recently. His plan to enter politics was scheduled sometime from 2018 to 2023 while his father served as CM, however those plans were changed for reasons that remain unknown.

Baghel was nominated for the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat for the first time last year, after which he planned to move Chaitanya to Patan Assembly seat under the assumption he would win. The Indian Express stated, “But as Baghel lost, the plan was shelved.”

Chaitanya's encounters with law enforcement began before the ED raid on him. In 2022, Durg police interrogated junior Baghel regarding the attempted murder of a professor from Bhilai. He was called in for questioning in September 2024, when Bhupesh Baghel sent a letter to ex- CJI DY Chandrachud claiming that both state and central agencies were being “misused" to attack him and his family.