The crackdown in the alleged ₹2,500 crore Chhattisgarh liquor scam intensified on Wednesday (September 24) as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, along with co-accused Dipen Chawda.
Both were produced before a special Prevention of Corruption Act court, which remanded them to ACB/EOW custody till October 6.
Chaitanya had already been in judicial custody since July 18 following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). His custody was transferred to ACB/EOW on the basis of a production warrant.
Allegations of ₹1,000 Crore Handling
According to the ED, the scam—allegedly running between 2019 and 2022 during the Congress government—revolved around commissions from official liquor sales, illegal liquor proceeds, and bribes from distillers who formed a cartel. The agency claimed that Chaitanya Baghel was at the “helm of the syndicate” and personally managed nearly ₹1,000 crore in illicit funds.
The investigation further alleged that the illicit proceeds were concealed and funneled through a nexus of politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen.
Defence Counters "Selective Action"
Chaitanya’s lawyer, Faisal Rizvi, strongly opposed the arrest, alleging political targeting. “In the main chargesheet and subsequent supplementary charge sheets, Chaitanya was not named. Out of 45 people listed, 29 have never been arrested,” Rizvi argued, questioning why his client was singled out.
He said Chaitanya’s name only surfaced after the statement of another accused, Laxmi Narayan Bansal, regarding the alleged handling of ₹1,000 crore.
Wider Political and Bureaucratic Nexus
The FIR filed in January 2024, soon after the BJP came to power in Chhattisgarh, named 70 individuals and companies. Those named include former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma, ex-chief secretary Vivek Dhand, and senior Congress leaders.
Several high-profile arrests have already been made, including Lakhma, Anwar Dhebar, ex-IAS officer Anil Tuteja, and ITS officer Arunpati Tripathi. Agencies allege that a significant portion of the proceeds was routed to Congress leaders and party functionaries during Bhupesh Baghel’s tenure as chief minister.
