NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday arrested former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel‘s son Chaitanya Baghel in connection with the alleged multi-crore liquor scam in the state.This comes hours after the central agency carried out search at the premises of senior Congress leader at his Bhilai residence.Following the raids, Bhupesh Baghel’s office posted on X,”ED has arrived. Today is the last day of the Assembly session. The issue of trees being cut in Tamnar for Adani was supposed to be raised today. “Saheb” has sent the ED to the Bhilai residence.”The probing agency has alleged that a cartel comprising government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen operated a scheme that illegally collected around Rs 2,161 crore from liquor sales in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022.The alleged scam involved manipulation of the liquor supply chain, with the cartel controlling the sale and distribution of alcohol through government-run shops.A portion of the liquor sold was not recorded in official accounts, and bribes were allegedly collected from suppliers to permit its sale outside the legal system.The investigation is based on an earlier Income Tax Department report, which flagged irregularities in the state’s liquor trade.Previously, the ED had arrested several key accused, including IAS officer Anil Tuteja and liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, the brother of Raipur’s mayor.The agency has also conducted multiple raids on politicians and bureaucrats associated with the former Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh.(This is a developing story)
