ED arrests Bhupesh Baghel’s son in liquor scam probe; Congress boycotts assembly, stages protests

Raipur
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the alleged state liquor scam. The ED team picked him up from his residence in Bhilai and brought him to Raipur for questioning. He was later produced before Special Judge Damrudhar Chauhan.

The timing of the arrest, which coincided with Chaitanya’s birthday and the last day of the state Assembly session, drew strong political reactions. Former CM Bhupesh Baghel alleged that the ED action was orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to divert attention from the opposition’s planned discussion on the felling of trees in Tamnar for Adani’s project.
“This is clearly a move to silence voices that raise questions about Adani. Last time they targeted me on my birthday, and now my son,” Baghel said before heading to the Assembly. “We will neither fear, nor be intimidated, nor bow down, nor break.”

The arrest triggered uproar in the House, with Congress MLAs staging a walkout and boycotting the day’s proceedings. Leader of Opposition Dr Charan Das Mahant accused the BJP-led government of using central agencies to intimidate the opposition. “We were to raise the issue of unconstitutional deforestation in Tamnar, violating the PESA Act. This raid reflects government pressure. Democracy is being undermined,” Mahant said.

Congress legislators later held an emergency meeting in Mahant’s chamber, expressing solidarity with Baghel and condemning the ED’s action. The entire opposition reaffirmed its trust in the judiciary and vowed not to succumb to pressure.

Outside the ED office in Raipur, party workers staged a protest that escalated into scuffles with police. As news of the early morning raid spread, a crowd of supporters gathered outside Baghel’s residence in Bhilai.

The ED is yet to issue an official statement confirming the details of the case. However, sources indicated that the arrest is linked to ongoing investigations in the state’s multi-crore liquor scam.