'Not just ED but EOW threatening people...': Bhupesh Baghel on his son's arrest

HORNBILL TV

Bhupesh Baghel said the Economic Offences Wing is threatening individuals who have already recorded their statements in the court.

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 31 (HBTV): Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday criticised central investigative agencies following the arrest of his son, Chaitanya Baghel, claiming that not just the Enforcement Directorate (ED) but the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is also threatening individuals who have already recorded their statements in court.

On Friday, the ED arrested Chaitanya Baghel in connection with the ongoing investigation into an alleged multi-crore liquor scam in the state.

'Not just the ED, but the EOW (Economic Offences Wing) is also calling and threatening people who have already given statements and taken oath in court... They have only one target—Bhupesh Baghel and his son... All ED does is spin tales... After Chaitanya was arrested, Rahul Gandhi was the first person to call me. Many other leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi, called me... Now we will fight a decisive battle against Adani,' Baghel told ANI.

The arrest follows an earlier action by the agency in March this year, during which INR 30 lakh was seized from the residence of Bhupesh Baghel and his son. The money was recovered during a day-long search operation across 14 locations in Chhattisgarh in connection with alleged irregularities in the state’s liquor trade, involving suspected illegal commissions and money laundering.

According to the ED, Chaitanya Baghel is a 'recipient of proceeds of crime' generated from the liquor scam, where the total amount allegedly laundered is around INR 2,161 crore, siphoned off through multiple schemes.

Earlier, Bhupesh Baghel had accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of targeting Congress leaders, particularly members of the Gandhi family, in a bid to defame the party.

'It is the policy of the BJP to defame Congress leaders. Congress party has always fought for the interest of the nation. So, entire Gandhi family was targeted in order to defame them. But the entire nation and country know that this is a family which makes sacrifices for the nation... They themselves cannot do anything, so they want to weaken others. So, they arrested my son. They are trying to suppress me but I will neither get scared nor suppressed,' he added.

(ANI)