The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken significant action under the ongoing investigation into the Chhattisgarh liquor scam. The agency has provisionally attached assets worth ₹61.20 crore belonging to Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: Under the ongoing investigation into the liquor scam in Chhattisgarh, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken significant action by provisionally attaching assets worth ₹61.20 crore belonging to Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. This step has been taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. This action by the ED has stirred the state's politics and law and order situation.
Details of Attached Properties
According to the ED, the attached properties of Chaitanya Baghel include:
- 364 residential plots and agricultural lands totaling ₹59.96 crore.
- Movable properties such as bank balances and fixed deposits, valued at ₹1.24 crore.
- Proceeds of Crime (POC) amounting to approximately ₹2,500 crore, acquired from the liquor syndicate and other illicit sources.
The ED stated that this action was taken during the investigation of money laundering cases related to the Chhattisgarh liquor scam.
Chaitanya Baghel's Role
According to the ED, the investigation revealed that Chaitanya Baghel was at the helm of the liquor syndicate. As the Chief Minister's son, he was made the controller and ultimate authority of the syndicate. He managed the collection, distribution, and channeling of illicit funds gathered on behalf of the syndicate. The ED stated that Chaitanya Baghel invested the proceeds of crime obtained from the liquor scam into his business through his real estate company, “M/s Baghel Developers.”
Under this very company, he developed the Vitthal Green Project, which was presented as untainted property. Chaitanya Baghel was arrested by the ED on July 18, 2025, and is currently in judicial custody.
Arrest of Former Excise Minister and Other Officials
Previously, several senior officials and leaders have been arrested in this case. These include:
- Anil Tuteja (former IAS officer)
- Arvind Singh
- Trilok Singh Dhillon
- Anwar Dhebar
- Arunpati Tripathi (ITS officer)
- Kawasi Lakhma, who was the then Excise Minister of Chhattisgarh.
The ED stated that the attachment of ₹61.20 crore is part of previously attached immovable properties worth approximately ₹215 crore. The investigation is still ongoing, and further details of properties may emerge in forthcoming reports. The Chhattisgarh liquor scam has stirred the state's politics. The investigation is examining the alleged misuse of hundreds of crores of rupees through political and administrative corruption in this scam. The ED's action demonstrates that serious steps are being taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to prevent corruption and illegal assets.
