New Delhi, March 10
The Directorate of Enforcement conducted searches at 14 locations in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, including at the residences of former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son, in connection with an alleged liquor scam.
The ED stated that the searches are related to ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel, including the residence of his son Chaitanya Baghel, and also latter's close associates.
ED has gathered information that Chaitanya Baghel allegedly received proceeds of crime generated from the liquor scam. A total of Rs 2,161 crore was siphoned off through various schemes between 2019 and 2023, during the previous regime in Chhattisgarh.
The ED had registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in January last year against alleged mastermind of the liquor scam, Anwar Dhebar, who is the brother of Raipur mayor Aijaz Dhebar; retired IAS officer Anil Tuteja, then joint secretary in Chhattisgarh; ITS Arun Pati Tripathi, then Special Secretary Government Commerce and Industry Department and MD, CG State Marketing Corporation Ltd; and others for allegedly collecting commissions and supplying unaccounted liquor to government liquor shops, resulting in approximate loss of Rs 2,161 crore to the state government.
Baghel’s official social media handle on X released a statement claiming that it was part of a conspiracy to stop Baghel from doing party work in Punjab.
The statement read, “While the false case going on for seven years was dismissed in court, today ED guests have entered the Bhilai residence of former Chief Minister, Congress General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel this morning. If someone is trying to stop Congress in Punjab with this conspiracy, then it is a misunderstanding.”
