NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday arrested former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel 's son Chaitanya Baghel in connection with the alleged multi-crore liquor scam in the state.
This comes hours after the central agency carried out search at the premises of senior Congress leader at his Bhilai residence.
After the arrests, Baghel, confirmed the arrest with a social media post on X, "thanking" Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 'birthday gift' for his son.
"The kind of birthday gifts Modi and Shah give cannot be given by anyone in any democracy of the world. On my birthday, both the most respected leaders sent the ED to the houses of my advisor and two OSDs ."
"And now, on my son Chaitanya's birthday, the Enforcement Directorate team is raiding my house. Thank you for these gifts. I will remember them for life," he said.
Following the raids, Bhupesh Baghel'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."
All about the case
The probing agency has alleged that a cartel comprising government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen operated a scheme that illegally collected around Rs 2,161 crore from liquor sales in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022.
The alleged scam involved manipulation of the liquor supply chain, with the cartel controlling the sale and distribution of alcohol through government-run shops.
A portion of the liquor sold was not recorded in official accounts, and bribes were allegedly collected from suppliers to permit its sale outside the legal system.
The investigation is based on an earlier Income Tax Department report, which flagged irregularities in the state's liquor trade.
Previously, the ED had arrested several key accused, including IAS officer Anil Tuteja and liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, the brother of Raipur’s mayor.
The agency has also conducted multiple raids on politicians and bureaucrats associated with the former Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh.
(This is a developing story)
This comes hours after the central agency carried out search at the premises of senior Congress leader at his Bhilai residence.
After the arrests, Baghel, confirmed the arrest with a social media post on X, "thanking" Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 'birthday gift' for his son.
"The kind of birthday gifts Modi and Shah give cannot be given by anyone in any democracy of the world. On my birthday, both the most respected leaders sent the ED to the houses of my advisor and two OSDs ."
VIDEO | Bhilai, Chhattisgarh: Congress workers clash with police personnel and try to stop ED vehicles after Chaitanya Baghel, son of former CM Bhupesh Baghel, was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2025
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted fresh searches at the… pic.twitter.com/beb7Eq7Pnq
"And now, on my son Chaitanya's birthday, the Enforcement Directorate team is raiding my house. Thank you for these gifts. I will remember them for life," he said.
Following the raids, Bhupesh Baghel'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."
All about the case
The probing agency has alleged that a cartel comprising government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen operated a scheme that illegally collected around Rs 2,161 crore from liquor sales in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022.
The alleged scam involved manipulation of the liquor supply chain, with the cartel controlling the sale and distribution of alcohol through government-run shops.
A portion of the liquor sold was not recorded in official accounts, and bribes were allegedly collected from suppliers to permit its sale outside the legal system.
The investigation is based on an earlier Income Tax Department report, which flagged irregularities in the state's liquor trade.
Previously, the ED had arrested several key accused, including IAS officer Anil Tuteja and liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, the brother of Raipur’s mayor.
The agency has also conducted multiple raids on politicians and bureaucrats associated with the former Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh.
(This is a developing story)
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