Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 25 (HBTV): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested 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, officials confirmed.

The arrest came hours after the ED conducted searches at Chaitanya Baghel's residence in Chhattisgarh as part of a wider crackdown on suspected money laundering and financial irregularities linked to the liquor trade.

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 latest action follows a March 2025 operation by the ED, during which INR 30 lakh was reportedly seized from the residence of Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya. The searches had been conducted at 14 locations across the state.

According to ED findings, Chaitanya Baghel is allegedly a recipient of proceeds of crime generated from the liquor scam, in which an estimated INR 2,161 crore was siphoned off through a series of coordinated schemes.

Commenting on the earlier raid, Bhupesh Baghel’s office had also 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 comprising government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen illicitly collected approximately INR 2,161 crore between 2019 and 2022 from liquor sales in Chhattisgarh. The alleged scam involved manipulation of the supply chain, with unaccounted liquor being sold through government-run outlets. Bribes were reportedly taken from suppliers to permit sale of liquor outside the legal distribution system.

The investigation stems from an earlier report by the Income Tax Department, which highlighted financial irregularities in the state's liquor trade.

Previously, the ED arrested several individuals in connection with the case, including IAS officer Anil Tuteja and liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, brother of Raipur’s mayor. The agency has also conducted multiple raids targeting bureaucrats and politicians linked to the former Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh.

(ANI)