Congress MLA and former Chhattisgarh excise minister Kawasi Lakhma was released from Raipur Central Jail a day after the Supreme Court granted him interim bail in cases linked to the alleged liquor ‘scam’. Arrested by the ED and ACB/EOW, Lakhma said he has full faith in the judiciary and will continue to fight for tribal and farmers’ rights.
Karnataka High Court sharply criticised the Enforcement Directorate for opposing WinZO subsidiary’s plea to operate frozen bank accounts for employee salaries, with Justice BM Shyama Prasad rejecting “tentative instructions” and directing the agency to present final, complete directions forthwith.
The Supreme Court of India will hear over 40 petitions linked to the Chhattisgarh liquor scam on January 28, including multiple bail pleas. The hearing will also cover the Enforcement Directorate’s challenge to the bail granted to Chaitanya Baghel.
The ACB/EOW has alleged in its chargesheet that Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, received Rs 200–250 crore from the liquor scam. The agency claims he played a key role in managing and protecting the syndicate during the Congress government’s tenure.
