Raipur
The Raipur sessions court has set 23 February 2026 for the first hearing in the controversial sex CD case, directing former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel to appear before the regular court. The sessions court on 24 January accepted a review petition filed by the CBI, overturning an earlier decision by the lower court that had discharged Baghel.
Baghel has termed the court’s decision “political vendetta,” asserting that he will challenge the order in the High Court. “Truth will prevail in court. We will fight and win,” Baghel said, noting that he had previously been discharged but the CBI chose to appeal the ruling.
Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant alleged a conspiracy against Congress leaders. He claimed the central government is misusing agencies to intimidate the opposition.
Background of the trial
A Special CBI judge had discharged Bhupesh Baghel on 4 March 2025, citing a lack of evidence and stating there were no grounds to proceed with a trial. The CBI subsequently filed a review petition in the sessions court against this acquittal. On 24 January 2026, the sessions court set aside the magistrate court’s 2024–25 order, effectively reviving the trial against the Congress leader.
During previous proceedings, senior advocate Manish Dutt, appearing for Baghel, argued that the former chief minister was falsely implicated. He maintained that Baghel neither prepared nor distributed the alleged CD.
Case origins
The case dates back to October 2017 when a CD allegedly featuring then BJP minister Rajesh Munat surfaced. Following a complaint, Raipur police tracked the production of the CD to Delhi, leading to the arrest of journalist Vinod Verma. Baghel, then the state Congress president, was arrested in September 2018.
The investigation began following an FIR registered at the Pandri police station on 26 October 2017 by BJP leader Prakash Bajaj. Bajaj alleged he received a blackmail call claiming to have obscene videos of his “bosses” and demanding money to prevent their circulation.
Political impact
The 2018 arrest of Baghel and Verma occurred just three months before the assembly elections, triggering state-wide protests. Baghel’s refusal to seek bail at the time became a focal point for the Congress campaign under the slogan “Main bhi Bhupesh” (I am also Bhupesh). This momentum is credited with helping the Congress party secure 68 seats and end the BJP’s 15-year rule in the state.
