ED Arrests Chhattisgarh Ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel’s Son Chaitanya in Liquor Scam Case

Rapid Summary

• Arrest details: Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, was arrested by teh Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on July 18, 2025, in relation to a money laundering probe linked to the alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh.
• Context of raids: Fresh searches were conducted at Bhilai town premises shared by Bhupesh and Chaitanya Baghel. congress supporters tried blocking ED vehicles during the arrest.
• Background allegations: The alleged liquor scam involves claims that between 2019 and 2022 under the Baghel-led goverment, a liquor syndicate illegally profited over Rs. 3,200 crore at the expense of state revenues. A revised FIR by State EOW/ACB named over 70 individuals and companies as implicated since January 2024.
• Bhupesh Baghel’s defense: The former CM claimed these actions were politically motivated orchestrations by BJP leaders to suppress Opposition voices. He correlated his support for protests against tree-felling for an Adani-linked coal project with timing of raids.
• Personal remarks: Baghel pointed out coincidences where ED raided his premises on meaningful family occasions like birthdays.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The arrest comes amid heightened political tensions following allegations tied to the Rs. 3,200-crore liquor scam during Congress rule in chhattisgarh from 2019-2022. While central agencies like ED have substantiated legal grounds for their investigations via revised FIRs backed by economic evidence provided post-SC interventions, opposition claims of partisan misuse cannot be overlooked entirely given India’s increasingly polarized political habitat.

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