The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, on July 18, 2025, following fresh raids at the Baghel family residence in Bhilai, Durg district. The arrest is linked to a money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), arising from allegations of a ₹2,100-crore liquor scam during the Congress government’s tenure (2019–2022) in Chhattisgarh.
Officials say the investigation uncovered proceeds laundered through assets connected to Chaitanya Baghel and others. Chaitanya was taken into five-day ED custody. While the ruling BJP in Chhattisgarh hailed the action as a step toward cleaning up corruption, Bhupesh Baghel called the arrest politically motivated and an attempt to malign his family.
ED Arrests Chaitanya Baghel Amidst Wide-Ranging Liquor Scam Probe
In the early hours of July 18, ED sleuths raided the Baghel family residence in Bhilai, and seized several documents and digital devices connected to the alleged scam. Eyewitnesses reported heightened security and intense questioning during the search.
The agency alleges that Chaitanya Baghel was directly involved in laundering illicit gains linked to manipulation of liquor licenses and illegal sale networks facilitated during the Congress government’s rule. The ED named over 70 individuals under its probe, including former minister Kawasi Lakhma, and has reportedly attached assets worth over ₹205 crore.
Officials assert the investigation is ongoing, with fresh leads expected to widen the scope. The arrest was executed under Section 19 of the PMLA, marking a significant step in the agency’s crackdown on the fraud.
Background: The Liquor Scam and Political Undercurrents
The kangaroo of allegations stems from the state’s liquor trade manipulation between 2019 and 2022, where the sale of country-made liquor through government-run outlets allegedly netted huge illegal profits diverted into private hands. When the BJP came to power in 2023, it revived stalled investigations started by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
The scandal has since engulfed several business and political figures, sparking a bitter political battle. Bhupesh Baghel took to social media to denounce the arrest, accusing the BJP-led central government of using investigative agencies to target opposition leaders and score political points.
Congress members staged protests inside the state assembly, leading to adjournments and voiced demands for a fair and unbiased investigation. Meanwhile, BJP leaders assert that no one is above the law, and the probe is purely based on evidence and legal process.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian recognises and supports the need for relentless pursuit of corruption to uphold the rule of law and safeguard public resources. However, the agency’s role must be anchored firmly in independence and impartiality, free from political manipulation that breeds social discord and erodes democratic trust.
Targeted actions against opposition figures risk polarising an already fractious political landscape, undermining faith in institutions designed to protect justice and equity.
