The ED searched at least 14 locations linked to the Baghels, including their residence in Bhilai city, Durg district. These searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Officials reported that several crucial documents were examined during the raids.
Today, 10th March, The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations connected to former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya Baghel. The raids were carried out today in connection with an alleged multi-crore liquor scam.
The ED searched at least 14 locations linked to the Baghels, including their residence in Bhilai city, Durg district. These searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Officials reported that several crucial documents were examined during the raids.
Reacting strongly to the ED’s actions, Bhupesh Baghel claimed that the raids followed a court decision dismissing a long-standing case.
He said, “After a false case going on for seven years was dismissed by the court, the guests of ED entered the Bhilai residence of former Chief Minister, Congress General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel this morning.”
Mr. Baghel further suggested that the raids were part of a political conspiracy, adding,
“If someone is trying to stop Congress in Punjab through this conspiracy, then it is a misunderstanding.”
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Probe into Alleged Multi-Crore Scam
The ED’s investigation is linked to an alleged liquor scam that reportedly caused significant financial loss to the state exchequer. Officials believe that around Rs 2,161 crore was siphoned off through various illegal schemes.
The ED claims that Chaitanya Baghel received proceeds generated from this alleged scam. The probe revealed that the liquor syndicate operated between 2019 and 2022, generating large sums through illegal commissions. One method involved collecting bribes from distillers for every liquor ‘case’ procured by the state liquor body.
The scam also involved the sale of country liquor from state-run shops. The ED believes that the revenue from these sales did not reach the state treasury and was instead pocketed by members of the syndicate.
According to the ED, distillers were required to pay bribes to run a liquor cartel with fixed market shares. Additionally, commissions were charged in the foreign liquor segment as well.ED Raids Bhupesh Baghel’s Son, Others in Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam Case
ED Raids Bhupesh Baghel’s Son, Others in Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam Case
The alleged modus operandi involved using duplicate holograms and bottles to facilitate the sale of illicit liquor.
In July 2023, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a prosecution complaint, naming key figures such as Anwar Dhebar, brother of Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar; former IAS officer Anil Tuteja; and Arunpati Tripathi, Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL).
The agency accused these individuals of playing significant roles in orchestrating the scam by manipulating procurement processes and accepting commissions from select liquor manufacturers.
The ED’s investigation indicated that the alleged corruption caused a loss of Rs. 2,161 crore to the state exchequer. Consequently, properties worth approximately Rs. 205.49 crore linked to various accused individuals, including businessmen and former bureaucrats, have been attached.
Bhupesh Baghel has denied the allegations, calling the ED’s actions politically motivated. Condemning the raids, the former Chief Minister stated in a tweet that the ED’s action persisted despite the “false case going on for seven years” being dismissed in court.
According to the ED, the alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh took place between 2019 and 2022, during the tenure of the Congress government led by Bhupesh Baghel.
