Raipur (BTI)- In a major crackdown, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at the residences of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and current Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, his son Chinmay Baghel, and 14 other locations early this morning.
The raids are reportedly linked to the multi-crore Chhattisgarh liquor scam and related money laundering activities. The sudden action by ED has sent shockwaves through the state’s political circles, particularly within the Congress party. Sources indicate that the central agency is investigating financial irregularities that allegedly took place between 2019 and 2022, during Baghel’s tenure as Chief Minister.
The Alleged Liquor Scam
The Chhattisgarh liquor scam, estimated at ₹2,161 crore, involved government-run liquor shops where suppliers, officials, and political figures allegedly formed a nexus to illegally sell alcohol and generate illicit profits. Reports suggest that over ₹2,000 crore was unlawfully amassed over three years through this network. Prominent individuals implicated in the case include:
Anwar Dhebar, brother of former Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar
Anil Tuteja, IAS officer
Soumya Chaurasia, a close aide of Bhupesh Baghel
Several of these individuals are already in judicial custody. The Income Tax Department’s earlier findings on these financial irregularities reportedly prompted today’s ED action.
Political Reactions
Reacting strongly to the raids, Bhupesh Baghel termed the ED’s actions as “political vendetta”, accusing the ruling BJP of misusing central agencies to target opposition leaders. Meanwhile, Deputy CM Arun Sao defended the enforcement action, stating, “If everything is clean, there is no reason for Bhupesh Baghel to worry.”
As the investigation unfolds, all eyes are now on the developments in this high-profile case, which could have far-reaching political implications in Chhattisgarh.
