In a dramatic turn of events on Friday, Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged multi-crore liquor scam in the state. Notably, the arrest came on his birthday, intensifying both political and public interest.
The arrest followed fresh ED raids at the Baghel family’s residence in Bhilai, Durg district. ED teams, supported by a heavy security presence, searched the premises reportedly based on new evidence uncovered after earlier raids conducted in March.
Former CM Bhupesh Baghel has accused the Centre of using central agencies to suppress dissent. In a strongly worded post shared via his office on X (formerly Twitter), Baghel stated, “Today is the last day of the State legislative (monsoon) session. The issue of trees being felled for Adani in Tamnar was scheduled to be raised (in the House). Saheb has sent ED to Bhilai residence.”
The comment points to the controversial coal mining project in Tamnar tehsil of Raigarh district, where locals have been protesting against deforestation. The coal block was allocated to MAHAGENCO, which in turn contracted the Adani Group as the mine developer and operator. Bhupesh Baghel had recently visited Tamnar in support of the villagers, drawing national attention to the ecological and political stakes involved.
The timing of the ED action — coinciding with a scheduled Assembly debate on the Adani-linked tree felling issue — has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, who are calling the arrest a “deliberate attempt to silence voices of protest.”
