New Delhi [India], August 1 (HBTV): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has unearthed major financial irregularities involving Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the state's multi-crore liquor scam that took place between 2019 and 2022.

According to the ED, Chaitanya Baghel, who was arrested on July 18, received proceeds of crime worth INR 16.70 crore.

The agency stated that Chaitanya allegedly routed the illicit funds through his real estate firms and used them in the development of a real estate project. The funds were reportedly laundered through cash payments to contractors and through falsified banking entries.

The ED investigation further revealed that Chaitanya, in collusion with businessman Trilok Singh Dhillon, devised a scheme to indirectly receive INR 5 crore under the guise of flat purchases in the Vitthalpuram Project, with payments made in the names of Dhillon's employees.

'Banking trails show that during this time, Dhillon had received substantial payments from the liquor syndicate,' said the agency.

In a broader revelation, the ED stated that Chaitanya Baghel was involved in handling over INR 1,000 crore of proceeds from the liquor scam. He reportedly coordinated with key accused Anwar Dhebar and others to facilitate the transfer of illicit funds to the then treasurer of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee.

The ED added that significant portions of this money were further invested through close associates of the Baghel family. 'The end-use of these funds remains under investigation,' the agency said.

Earlier, the ED had arrested several prominent figures in the same case, including former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Arvind Singh, Trilok Singh Dhillon, Anwar Dhebar, Arun Pati Tripathi (ITS), and MLA and former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma.

The probe into the high-profile liquor scam continues to widen, revealing an intricate web of political and corporate collusion, the agency stated.

Chaitanya remains in ED custody till July 22.

The ED initiated its investigation based on an FIR registered by the Economic Offences Wing of Chhattisgarh under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in connection with the liquor scam in the state.

A police investigation revealed that the Chhattisgarh liquor scam resulted in a massive loss to the state exchequer and enriched the beneficiaries with more than INR 2,500 crore in proceeds of crime generated through scheduled offences.

(ANI)