Raipur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at 14 locations across Chhattisgarh on Monday, including the residence of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with an alleged liquor scam.
The ED alleges that a cartel of government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen illegally amassed ₹2,161 crore through illicit liquor sales between 2019 and 2022 in Chhattisgarh.
Key Allegations in the Liquor Scam
- The cartel allegedly manipulated the liquor supply chain, controlling the sale and distribution of alcohol through state-run shops.
- A significant portion of liquor sales was reportedly not recorded officially, with bribes collected from suppliers to facilitate illegal transactions.
- The ED’s investigation stems from an earlier Income Tax Department report that flagged irregularities in Chhattisgarh’s liquor trade.
- The agency claims to have uncovered evidence linking Chaitanya Baghel to the “proceeds of crime” generated from the scam.
Raids Target Businessmen and Officials
The ED also searched the residence of businessman Laxmi Narayan Bansal (alias Pappu Bansal), a close associate of Chaitanya Baghel.
The investigation has already led to several high-profile arrests, including:
- IAS officer Anil Tuteja
- Businessman Anwar Dhebar (brother of Raipur’s mayor)
- Former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma, who was arrested in January and accused of accepting ₹2 crore in illegal payments every month.
The ED claims that funds from the scam were funneled into real estate investments, causing substantial losses to the state exchequer. So far, assets worth ₹205 crore have been attached as part of the probe.
Bhupesh Baghel’s Response
Former CM Bhupesh Baghel dismissed the raids as politically motivated. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), his office stated:
“When the false case going on for seven years was dismissed in court, the ED arrived at 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, they are mistaken.”
The ED maintains that the scam occurred under the Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022 and continues its investigation into the matter.
