Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 25 (HBTV): Hours after the Enforcement Directorate arrested his son, Chaitanya Baghel, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched a scathing attack on the central government on Friday, accusing it of 'muzzling' opposition voices.
Speaking to mediapersons after the arrest, the senior Congress leader said he would not bow down before the Centre.
'Congress is fighting against Adani. This strategy has been adopted to muzzle the opposition. They are now targeting my son so that no one can raise their voice against Adani. We will not get scared or bow down. Today, my son has been arrested on his birthday. Last year on my birthday, my advisor was targeted,' Baghel said.
Earlier in the day, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Chaitanya Baghel in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged multi-crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh, officials confirmed.
The arrest followed raids at Chaitanya’s residence in the state. The searches were part of the agency's broader crackdown on suspected money laundering and irregularities linked to the scam.
Following the raid, Bhupesh Baghel's office posted on X: 'The 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.'
This development comes months after the agency, in March, seized INR 30 lakh from the residence of Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya during a day-long search operation at 14 locations across Chhattisgarh. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the liquor trade involving suspected illegal commissions and money laundering.
The ED has alleged that Chaitanya Baghel was a recipient of proceeds of crime generated from the liquor scam, in which around INR 2,161 crore was syphoned off through various schemes.
Reacting to the fresh action, Bhupesh Baghel's office again posted on X: 'When the false case going on for seven years was dismissed in the court, today the guests of ED 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.'
According to the ED, a cartel of government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen operated a scheme that illegally collected about INR 2,161 crore from liquor sales in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022. The alleged scam involved manipulation of the liquor supply chain, where a cartel controlled the sale and distribution of alcohol through government-run shops.
A portion of the liquor sold was not recorded officially, and bribes were allegedly collected from suppliers to permit its sale outside the legal system.
The investigation stems from an earlier Income Tax Department report that flagged irregularities in the liquor trade.
The ED had earlier arrested several key accused, including IAS officer Anil Tuteja and liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, the brother of Raipur's mayor. The agency has also conducted multiple raids targeting politicians and bureaucrats linked to the previous Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh.
(ANI)