Chaitanya Bhupesh Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday in connection with an alleged liquor scam. The arrest followed a raid at their residence in Bhilai — the second such ED search this year.
The timing of the raid drew sharp criticism from Congress MLA Bhupesh Baghel, who sarcastically referred to it as a “birthday gift” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to his son.
Bhupesh Baghel also alleged that the move was politically motivated, aimed at silencing him ahead of the state Assembly session where he planned to raise concerns about the Adani Group’s coal mining project in Raigarh district’s Tamnar tehsil, which involves large-scale tree felling.
Bhupesh Baghel son Chaitanya Baghel Arrest Sparks
the arrest of Chaitanya Baghel—son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel—by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Congress staged a dramatic protest in the state Assembly on Friday. All Congress MLAs, including Bhupesh Baghel, boycotted the session in response.
Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant condemned the arrest, saying, “The ED is exerting pressure to harass Bhupesh Baghel and all of us. We strongly oppose Chaitanya’s arrest and are boycotting the Assembly proceedings.” As they exited the House, Congress legislators raised slogans, including: “Ek ped Maa ke naam, baaki sab Baap ke naam” (One tree in the mother’s name, the rest in the father’s name)—a pointed reference to the ongoing controversy over tree cutting in Tamnar for a coal project linked to the Adani Group.
Earlier in the day, ED officials arrived at Bhupesh Baghel’s Bhilai residence, where Chaitanya also lives. Shortly after, Baghel’s office posted on X (formerly Twitter): “ED has arrived. Today is the last day of the Assembly session. The issue of trees being cut in Tamnar for Adani was to be raised today. At Bhilai Niwas, Saheb (sir) has sent ED.”
Speaking to the media outside his home, Bhupesh Baghel launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of using central agencies to shield corporate interests. “To please their master (Adani), Modi and Shah have sent the ED to my house. But we are not afraid and we will not bow down. We will fight back,” he said.
Bhupesh Baghel also criticized the broader misuse of investigative agencies against Opposition leaders. “In Bihar, voters are being removed with the help of the Election Commission, and democracy is being stripped away. Here, agencies like the ED, IT, CBI, and DRI are being weaponized to silence dissent. But the people of this country are no longer blind. They’ve raided my house before and found Rs 33 lakh. Now they’ve returned. What does that prove?”
Despite the accusations, Baghel asserted that he would continue to cooperate with the investigation. “They may not trust us, but we believe in democracy and the judiciary,” he added. He also questioned the timing of the raid, pointing out that it coincided with his son’s birthday, calling it a deliberate act of intimidation.
Baghel Slams ED Action as ‘Birthday Gift’ Amid Raids, Liquor Scam Allegations Deepen.
The raid on Baghel’s home is the second this year, the first having taken place on March 10. The Enforcement Directorate had earlier arrested former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma in connection with the same alleged liquor scam.
Earlier this month, Baghel visited Tamnar to express solidarity with tribal villagers protesting against deforestation linked to a coal mining project. The mine has been allotted to Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO), with the Adani Group contracted as the mine developer and operator (MDO).
The ED, which is investigating the money laundering angle of the alleged scam, claims that it took place during Baghel’s tenure as Chief Minister. According to the agency, a network of senior bureaucrats, politicians, and excise department officials operated a “parallel” liquor distribution system. While liquor was sold to the public, revenue was allegedly siphoned off, bypassing the state treasury—resulting in a reported loss of ₹2,161 crore to the exchequer.
EOW Pegs Liquor Scam at ₹3,200 Crore; 22 Officials Chargesheeted.
While the Enforcement Directorate (ED) continues to investigate the money laundering angle in the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, the state’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is probing the criminal conspiracy behind the alleged racket. The EOW recently estimated the scam’s scale at ₹3,200 crore and has filed a chargesheet against 22 officials from the excise department.
The ED had registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in January 2023, naming Anwar Dhebar—brother of former Raipur mayor Aijaz Dhebar—as the alleged mastermind. Others named include retired IAS officer Anil Tuteja, who was then Joint Secretary in the Chhattisgarh government; Arun Pati Tripathi, an ITS officer and then Special Secretary in the Commerce and Industry Department; and the then Managing Director of CG State Marketing Corporation Ltd.
The central agency has since arrested Anwar Dhebar, Anil Tuteja, and Arun Pati Tripathi in connection with the case
