No ED Notice Received, Says Former CM Bhupesh Baghel

Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel stated on Saturday that his son, Chaitanya Baghel, had not received any notice from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding an alleged liquor scam linked to a money laundering case.

His statement follows media reports suggesting that Chaitanya was summoned to appear before the central agency. Since early morning, media personnel gathered outside the Baghel residence in Bhilai (Durg district) and at the ED office located at Netaji Subhash Stadium, Fire Brigade Chowk, Raipur, anticipating his appearance.

Baghel Criticizes ED’s Actions

Responding to queries about his son’s possible appearance before the ED, Bhupesh Baghel dismissed the claims, stating that the question of visiting the ED office does not arise if no official notice has been served. He added that when a summons is formally issued, it will be addressed accordingly.

Speaking to reporters outside his home in Bhilai, Baghel accused the ED of creating media hype and acting as a political tool to defame individuals. He pointed to a past case against him involving a CD scandal that lingered for seven years, from which he was recently discharged by the court. He called the ED’s actions part of a “BJP conspiracy to malign political opponents.”

ED Raids and Allegations

On March 10, ED officials conducted raids at the Baghel residence in Bhilai as part of the ongoing money laundering probe involving his son in the alleged liquor scam. Official sources reported that searches were carried out at 13 locations, including properties linked to Laxmi Narayan Bansal (alias Pappu Bansal), a known associate of Chaitanya.

The searches, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), lasted nearly eight hours, resulting in the seizure of approximately ₹30 lakh in cash along with various documents.

Following the raids, there were unconfirmed reports that Chaitanya Baghel had been summoned to record his statement on Saturday. However, Bhupesh Baghel, who was present at the time of the searches, dismissed these claims, labeling the ED’s actions as a reflection of the BJP’s growing frustration.

Congress Protests Against ED and BJP

In response to the ED’s actions, the Congress party staged protests on March 11, burning effigies of the BJP-led central government and the ED to condemn what they called political vendetta.

According to the ED, the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam took place between 2019 and 2022 when the Congress government, led by CM Baghel, was in power. The agency claims that the scam resulted in a massive financial loss to the state exchequer, while those involved in the liquor syndicate pocketed over ₹2,100 crore in illicit funds.

Political Tensions Continue

As the case unfolds, political tensions between the Congress and BJP remain high. Baghel continues to refute the allegations, maintaining that the ED is being misused for political gains. The opposition party, on the other hand, has intensified its attack on the central government, accusing it of targeting Congress leaders ahead of elections.

The controversy surrounding the alleged liquor scam is likely to escalate further, with the ED expected to continue its probe into the financial dealings of individuals linked to the case.

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