ED Arrests Chaitanya Baghel, Son of Former Chhattisgarh CM, in Liquor Policy Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested Chaitanya Baghel, a businessman and the son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with a money laundering case tied to the state’s liquor policy.

Chaitanya was taken into custody following an early morning raid at his residence in Bhilai. His arrest is a major development in the ED’s ongoing probe into alleged financial irregularities during the Congress-led government under Bhupesh Baghel.

Sources close to the investigation said the ED has uncovered suspected proceeds of crime worth around ₹1,000 crore. The agency also claims a portion of these illicit funds were funneled through real estate firms linked to Chaitanya and his close associates.

An FIR filed by the Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on money laundering case, which named 70 individuals and entities, including former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma, for alleged corruption related to the state's liquor policy.

Reacting sharply to his son's arrest, Bhupesh Baghel accused the Centre of using investigative agencies to silence political opposition.

“On the last day of the Assembly session, when we were about to raise the Adani issue in the House, Modi and Shah sent the ED to my home. This is just another attempt to please their bosses,” Baghel told reporters in Raipur. “Opposition leaders across the country are being targeted. This is not law enforcement — it’s an attack on democracy.”

He further alleged that agencies like the ED, CBI, Income Tax Department, and DRI are being misused for political vendettas.

“While the Election Commission is disenfranchising voters in Bihar, these agencies are being weaponised against us. But we believe in democracy and the judiciary, and we will fully cooperate with the process,” he said.