THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Oct 31: Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has moved the Supreme Court challenging his arrest in the alleged liquor scam case. Acting on his plea, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and directed it to respond within 10 days.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Chaitanya Baghel, argued that the ED had not issued any summons for questioning before arresting him. He contended that the agency’s claim of non-cooperation was baseless and contrary to law.
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₹2,161-Crore Liquor Scam Under Probe
The alleged scam, worth ₹2,161 crore, is being investigated by both the CBI and the ED. According to the ED, between 2019 and 2022, a liquor syndicate defrauded the state government and generated illegal profits termed as “proceeds of crime.”
The probe revealed that the then Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma allegedly received monthly cash payments from the illicit earnings. Influential individuals including Anwar Dhebar and Anil Tuteja have also been named as part of the syndicate.
How the Syndicate Operated
Investigations suggest that distilleries paid hefty commissions and bribes to secure a fixed market share. Country liquor was sold from government shops without official records, depriving the state exchequer of revenue.
The syndicate also reportedly collected large sums in exchange for foreign liquor licenses (FL-10A), creating a powerful liquor mafia network.
So far, the ED has attached properties worth around ₹205 crore, while the investigation continues.
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ED Arrested Chaitanya Baghel on July 18
On July 18, the ED conducted raids at the residences of Bhupesh Baghel and his son in Raipur. Later that evening, Chaitanya Baghel was arrested and has remained in judicial custody since then.
He was produced via video conferencing before the ED court in Raipur on October 29, which extended his judicial remand until November 12.
