Security personnel stand guard outside the residence of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel during ED raids in a liquor scam probe.
In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities linked to a liquor distribution scandal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday detained Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The arrest followed a series of coordinated search operations at the family's residential premises in Bhilai, located in the Durg district.
Acting under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), ED officials initiated early-morning raids based on newly surfaced evidence purportedly linking Chaitanya Baghel to proceeds of crime within the broader liquor scam framework. The Bhilai residence jointly occupied by the former chief minister and his son was subjected to extensive forensic and documentary scrutiny as part of the federal agency's escalated enforcement strategy.
While the ED has remained cautious in detailing the specifics of the recovered evidence, agency insiders have confirmed that the action stems from a deepening inquiry into illicit financial flows and alleged nexus within the excise sector. This arrest represents the second major enforcement action targeting Chaitanya Baghel, following a similar search operation conducted on March 10 earlier this year.
Tight security cordons were observed at the search site, with local police deploying substantial forces to manage the area amid growing political attention. A limited number of supporters affiliated with the former CM’s party were present during the operation, though no disruptions were reported.
The development is poised to heighten political tensions in Chhattisgarh, as opposition parties and civil society continue to demand transparency and institutional accountability in corruption-related probes. Meanwhile, legal experts anticipate further procedural developments as the ED prepares to present its case in court, likely including financial trail analyses and statements under Section 50 of the PMLA.
As investigations progress, the arrest of a high-profile political figure’s family member underscores the ED’s intensified focus on dismantling allegedly entrenched networks of corruption within state-administered revenue channels. The case is expected to set a critical precedent in the interplay between politics, governance, and financial integrity in regional India.
This is a developing story, more details are awaited.
