The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, on Friday in connection with the state’s alleged multi-crore liquor scam. The arrest took place shortly after the central investigative agency conducted a search at the senior Congress leader’s Bhilai residence.
Announcing the development on social media platform X, Bhupesh Baghel called out Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sarcastically thanking him for the “birthday gift” as the ED action coincided with his son’s birthday. He noted, “On my birthday, the ED was sent to the houses of my advisor and two OSDs. Now, on my son Chaitanya’s birthday, the ED team is raiding my house. Thank you for these gifts. I will remember them for life.”
जन्मदिन का जैसा तोहफ़ा मोदी और शाह जी देते हैं वैसा दुनिया के किसी लोकतंत्र में और कोई नहीं दे सकता।
मेरे जन्मदिन पर दोनों परम आदरणीय नेताओं ने मेरे सलाहकार और दो ओएसडी के घरों पर ईडी भेजी थी।
और अब मेरे बेटे चैतन्य के जन्मदिन पर मेरे घर पर ईडी की टीम छापामारी कर रही है।
इन…— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) July 18, 2025
Baghel’s office also pointed out on social media that the ED arrived on the final day of the Assembly session, when discussions were scheduled on issues such as tree cutting in Tamnar for Adani Group. The statement read, “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.”
Details on the Case
According to the ED, a network of government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen allegedly created a scheme that siphoned off around ₹2,161 crore from illegal liquor sales in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022.
- The scam reportedly involved manipulating the official liquor supply chain. The cartel is accused of controlling sales through government-run outlets.
- A share of the alcohol sold was not listed in formal accounts, with bribes allegedly collected from suppliers to allow off-the-books transactions.
- The ED investigation stems from an earlier Income Tax Department report highlighting irregularities in the state’s liquor trade.
The agency has previously detained several key individuals, including IAS officer Anil Tuteja and liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, who is the brother of Raipur’s mayor. Multiple raids on politicians and bureaucrats linked to the former Congress-led state government have also been conducted as part of the inquiry.