Sex CD Scandal: Former CM Bhupesh Baghel Cleared of All Charges, CBI Special Court Dismisses Case

Raipur:
In a significant legal victory, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has been discharged of all charges in the controversial sex CD scandal case. The CBI special court ruled that there was no basis for prosecution, leading to the removal of all sections against him. Following the verdict, Baghel posted “सत्यमेव जयते” on social media platform X.

Court Proceedings & Next Hearing

On Tuesday, Bhupesh Baghel, along with co-accused Vinod Verma and Kailash Murarka, appeared before the Raipur court. The CBI had previously presented its arguments, and this marked the second appearance of the accused in court. While Baghel has been acquitted, the case against four other accused remains ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for April 4.

Status of Other Accused

Apart from Bhupesh Baghel, the following individuals are still awaiting the court’s decision:

• Kailash Murarka
• Vinod Verma
• Vijay Bhatia
• Vijay Pandya

One of the accused, Rinku Khanuja, passed away during the course of the trial.

Congress Reacts to Court’s Verdict

Congress Communication Head Sushil Anand Shukla welcomed the court’s decision, stating:

“The then BJP-led central government misused the CBI to falsely implicate Bhupesh Baghel in a fabricated CD scandal when he was Chhattisgarh Congress President. Today, the CBI special court has dismissed all charges, proving them baseless. Truth may face hardships, but it cannot be defeated. सत्यमेव जयते.”

CBI’s Electronic Evidence & Defense Arguments

Senior advocate Manish Dutt, representing Bhupesh Baghel, argued that Baghel was falsely implicated, asserting that he neither created nor distributed the alleged CD. Defense lawyer Faizal Rizvi pointed out that the court proceedings focused on the CBI’s investigation against co-accused Kailash Murarka and others. While the CBI claimed to possess electronic evidence, the defense countered these claims, leading to Baghel’s acquittal.

Background: What Was the Sex CD Scandal?

The case dates back to October 2017, when an alleged sex CD surfaced, purportedly featuring then-minister Rajesh Munat. The case was registered at Raipur’s Civil Lines police station, leading to the arrest of journalist Vinod Verma in Delhi.

Congress had maintained that the scandal was a political conspiracy orchestrated by the then BJP government. In September 2018, Bhupesh Baghel, serving as Chhattisgarh Congress President at the time, was arrested on conspiracy charges but refused to seek bail. His arrest sparked statewide protests, ultimately galvanizing Congress workers. The controversy played a pivotal role in the 2018 assembly elections, which saw Baghel leading Congress to victory and becoming Chief Minister.

Rinku Khanuja’s Involvement & CBI’s Allegations

The case took a tragic turn when accused Rinku Khanuja died by suicide on June 6, 2018. Despite his death, the CBI named him as an accused.

According to the agency, Rinku Khanuja and Vijay Pandya allegedly created the CD in August 2017. On August 14, 2017, Rinku, Vijay, and Kailash Murarka traveled to Mumbai and visited a studio owned by Manas Sahu to review the CD. A key witness in the case, businessman Lovely Khanuja, informed the CBI that Rinku had contacted him about the matter on August 23, 2017.

Political Implications

The dismissal of charges against Bhupesh Baghel is expected to have significant political ramifications in Chhattisgarh. With elections on the horizon, the verdict could bolster Congress’s narrative of political victimization under the previous BJP regime. The case, which once played a crucial role in Baghel’s rise to power, may now serve to strengthen his position within the party and among voters.

The next hearing in the case is set for April 4, where the fate of the remaining accused will be decided.