ED Reveals ₹2,500 Crore Liquor Scam; ₹16.70 Crore Illegally Earned by Chaitanya Baghel
Raipur
On Monday, July 21, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) made explosive revelations in the ongoing investigation into the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, announcing that a scam worth ₹2,500 crore took place between 2019 and 2022, resulting in massive financial losses to the state government.
The central agency disclosed that Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, was found in possession of ₹16.70 crore in illegal income, which was allegedly routed through his real estate companies to make the money appear legitimate. Tactics used included bogus bank entries, cash payments, and funneling black money into real estate projects under the guise of legitimate investments.
Arrest and Current Status
Chaitanya Baghel was arrested on July 18 in Bhilai and presented before a Special Court in Raipur on Friday. The court granted 5-day ED remand until July 22, during which the agency will continue interrogations. He is expected to be produced in court again tomorrow.
ED’s Key Allegations
- Criminal Proceeds (POC): ED states Chaitanya received ₹16.70 crore in proceeds of crime.
- Money Laundering Strategy: Black money was laundered using real estate shell investments and bogus purchase of flats.
- Triangular Financial Trails: With alleged collusion with Trilok Singh Dhillon, flats in the Vitthalpuram project were purchased under the names of Dhillon’s employees to conceal the source of illicit funds.
- Direct Transfer: A sum of ₹5 crore was allegedly routed to Chaitanya after Trilok received money from the liquor syndicate.
- Syndicate Link: ED called this just the “beginning“, stating that the investigation points to deep-rooted political and administrative networks.
- Other accused already arrested include: Anil Tuteja, Arvind Singh, Trilok Singh Dhillon, Anwar Dhebar, Arun Pati Tripathi, and Kawasi Lakhma.
Alleged ₹1,000+ Crore Black Money Handling
According to statements by liquor businessman Laxmi Narayan Bansal (aka Pappu) to the EOW and ED, he and Chaitanya handled over ₹1,000 crore in black money. The funds reportedly moved from Anwar Dhebar to Dipen Chawda, then to Ram Gopal Agrawal, in a network Chaitanya was allegedly part of.
ED also claims ₹100 crore in cash was handed over to one K.K. Srivastava at Chaitanya’s direction. Pappu Bansal further admitted to earning ₹136 crore from the scam within just three months.
Bhupesh Baghel Slams ED and BJP
Reacting to ED’s press note, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel lashed out on social media platform X, accusing the agency of political vendetta. He questioned the timing and motive, pointing out that when his house was raided on March 10 and later by CBI on March 26, no press note was issued.
“Now a press release comes four days after my son is arrested without even a summons. Was Adani’s office computer broken, or was BJP’s ‘Super CM’ on vacation?”
— Bhupesh Baghel on X
Baghel accused the ED and BJP of working hand in hand, claiming:
“ED works for BJP and BJP for ED. Even the Supreme Court has strongly rebuked such politically motivated misuse of agencies.”
