Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 24 (HBTV): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at the residence of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged multi-crore liquor scam in the state.

The searches are part of the agency's wider probe into suspected money laundering and irregularities linked to the liquor scam.

Following the raids, Bhupesh Baghel's office posted on X: 'ED has arrived. Today is the last day of the Assembly session. The issue of trees being cut in Tamnar for Adani was supposed to be raised today. "Saheb" has sent the ED to the Bhilai residence.'

The move comes months after the ED, in March this year, seized INR 30 lakh from the residence of Bhupesh Baghel and his son during a day-long search operation. That operation was conducted across 14 locations in Chhattisgarh related to alleged irregularities in the liquor trade, involving suspected illegal commissions and money laundering.

According to the ED, Chaitanya Baghel is also ‘a recipient of proceeds of crime generated from the liquor scam, wherein total proceeds of crime is around INR 2,161 crore siphoned off through various schemes.’

Reacting to the earlier raid, Bhupesh Baghel’s office had posted on X: ‘When the false case going on for seven years was dismissed in the court, today the guests of ED have entered the Bhilai residence of former Chief Minister and Congress General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel this morning. If someone is trying to stop Congress in Punjab through this conspiracy, then it is a misunderstanding.’

The ED has alleged that a cartel of government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen operated a scheme that illegally collected around INR 2,161 crore from liquor sales in the state between 2019 and 2022. The scam reportedly involved manipulation of the liquor supply chain, where a cartel controlled the sale and distribution of alcohol through government-run shops.

A portion of liquor sold was allegedly not accounted for in official records, and bribes were taken from suppliers to allow the sale of liquor outside the legal system.

The investigation is based on an earlier report by the Income Tax Department, which flagged irregularities in the state’s liquor trade.

Previously, the ED had arrested several key accused, including IAS officer Anil Tuteja and liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, brother of Raipur's mayor. The agency has conducted multiple raids on politicians and bureaucrats linked to the previous Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh.

(ANI)