ED raids 14 locations linked to Bhupesh Baghel’s son in alleged Rs 2,000-crore liquor scam

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday searched 14 locations in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district linked to Chaitanya Baghel, the son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with an alleged Rs 2,000-crore liquor scam, India Today reported.

The central agency has alleged that a syndicate of state government officials, politicians and others conspired to ensure that a state-run company procured country liquor only from distributors who would pay a commission of Rs 75 per case.

It alleged that the syndicate pocketed more than Rs 2,000 crore that would have otherwise gone to the state exchequer between 2019 and 2022.

Chhattisgarh was ruled by Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government from 2018 to 2023. The Bharatiya Janata Party wrested power in the state in December 2023 after winning the assembly elections.

The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that Chaitanya Baghel received proceeds of crime generated from the bootlegging of alcohol, India Today reported, quoting an unidentified agency official.

Bhupesh Bhagel, however, alleged that this is a conspiracy to stop him from doing party work in Punjab. He was appointed the Congress’ general secretary in Punjab earlier this year.

“When the false case that had been ongoing for seven years was dismissed by the court, today, ED guests entered the residence of former Chief Minister and Congress General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel in Bhilai this morning,” his office stated....

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