The action comes a few hours after the central probe agency carried out raids at Chaitanya's residence in Chhattisgarh. The searches were part of ED's broader crackdown on suspected money laundering and irregularities linked to the multi-crore scam
Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel speaks to the media after ED raids the residence of his son, Chaitanya. PIC/X
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested the son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister (CM) Bhupesh Baghel in connection with the ongoing probe into the alleged multi-crore liquor scam in the state, stated officials.
Durg: Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel’s son, Chaitanya Baghel, was arrested by the ED from his Bhilai residence in connection with the liquor scam pic.twitter.com/aYDLnxoFoy
— IANS (@ians_india) July 18, 2025
The action comes a few hours after the agency carried out raids in the house of his son, Chaitanya, in Chhattisgarh. The searches were part of the probe agency's broader crackdown on suspected money laundering and irregularities linked to the multi-crore scam, ANI reported.
Following the raids, the former CM's Office posted on X,"ED has arrived. Today is the last day of the Assembly session. The issue of trees being cut in Tamnar for Adani was supposed to be raised today. "Saheb" has sent the ED to the Bhilai residence."
The development comes after the agency had in March seized Rs 30 lakh from the houses of Bhupesh Baghel and Chaitanya.
The amount was recovered during a day-long search operation conducted across 14 locations in the state. The raids pertain to alleged irregularities in the liquor trade in Chhattisgarh, involving suspected illegal commissions and money laundering, reported ANI.
ED has gathered that Chaitanya Baghel is also "recipient of proceeds of crime generated from the liquor scam wherein total proceeds of crime is around Rs 2,161 crore siphoned off through various schemes."
Reacting to the March raid, Baghel's Office put up a post on X saying, "When the false case going on for seven years was dismissed in the court, today the guests of ED have entered 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, then it is a misunderstanding."
The ED has alleged that a cartel of government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen ran a scheme that illegally collected around Rs 2,161 crore from the sale of liquor in the state between 2019 and 2022. The alleged scam involved manipulation of the liquor supply chain, where a cartel controlled the sale and distribution of alcohol through government-run shops, reported ANI.
A portion of liquor sold was not accounted for in official records, and bribes were allegedly collected from suppliers to allow its sale outside the legal system.
The probe is based on an earlier Income Tax Department report, which flagged irregularities in the liquor trade.
Earlier, the ED had arrested several key accused, including Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Anil Tuteja and liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, who is the brother of Raipur's Mayor.
The agency has earlier conducted multiple raids, including on politicians and bureaucrats linked to the previous Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh, in connection to the scam probe.
(With ANI inputs)
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