The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided several locations linked to former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya Baghel in an alleged multi-crore liquor scam this morning. At least 14 locations linked to the Baghels, including their house in Bhilai city, in Durg district, were searched by ED officials under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). During the raids, several crucial documents were examined, officials said.
Ripping into the ED after the news broke, Mr Baghel claimed that the action followed a court decision to dismiss a “false case” that has been running for seven years.
“After a false case going on for seven years was dismissed by the court, the guests of ED entered the Bhilai residence of former Chief Minister, Congress General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel this morning. If someone is trying to stop Congress in Punjab through this conspiracy, then it is a misunderstanding,” said Mr Baghel.
Premises linked to close associates of Chaitanya Baghel were among the locations that were raided in the connection with the money laundering probe.
The probe is linked to an alleged liquor scam that the central agency believes had led to a “massive loss” to the state exchequer. They say those involved in the liquor syndicate had siphoned around Rs 2,161 crore through various schemes.
Chaitanya Baghel had received proceeds generated from this alleged scam, according to the officials.
The ED investigation so far has revealed that the liquor syndicate operated between 2019 and 2022, which generated a large amount in the form of illegal commissions through multiple ways. One of the ways was to collect bribes from the distillers per liquor ‘case’ procured by the state liquor body.
The alleged scam also covered the sale of country liquor from state-run shops, which remained entirely unaccounted. The ED believes that not a single rupee had reached the state exchequer, and all the money was pocketed by the syndicate suspects.
Distillers also had to pay a bribe that allowed them to run a liquor cartel with fixed market share, according to ED. Commissions were also charged in the foreign liquor segment.
