By News Karnataka Editorial Team
Copyright newskarnataka
Raipur: Arrest linked to ongoing probe
The Economic Offences Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB) on Wednesday arrested Chaitanya Baghel, the son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the state’s alleged multi-crore liquor scam. Officials said the arrest came after sustained questioning and scrutiny of financial records linked to the alleged irregularities in the liquor trade.
Allegations in the liquor scam
The liquor scam pertains to alleged corruption in the state’s liquor business, which investigators claim involved manipulation of sales, illegal commissions, and siphoning of funds running into hundreds of crores. The EOW/ACB has alleged that senior officials, businessmen, and political figures colluded to channel illegal profits through shell companies and benami accounts.
According to the agency, the irregularities date back to the years when the state had adopted a model of government-controlled liquor sales. Investigators allege that kickbacks were systematically routed, distorting revenues meant for the state exchequer.
Political sensitivity of the case
The arrest of Chaitanya Baghel has added a sharp political dimension to the case, given that his father Bhupesh Baghel is a senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister. Opposition parties, especially the BJP, have accused the Congress leadership of enabling large-scale corruption during its tenure.
Congress leaders, however, have termed the arrest “politically motivated”, arguing that the ruling dispensation is targeting the opposition ahead of upcoming polls. They maintain that the case is being used selectively to tarnish the image of the former Chief Minister and his family.
Previous developments in the probe
The liquor scam probe has seen several twists over the past year. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier conducted raids across multiple cities, seizing documents, cash, and digital evidence. The agency had claimed that the scam amounted to over ₹2,000 crore, involving a network of excise officials, politicians, and businessmen.
In July, the Supreme Court had allowed the EOW/ACB to continue its investigation, noting that state-level probes can proceed independently of central agencies like the ED. Since then, the EOW has widened its inquiry, summoning several individuals and tracing financial trails.
Broader impact on Chhattisgarh politics
The arrest is likely to intensify the ongoing political tussle in the state. With state assembly elections on the horizon, the development could become a flashpoint between the BJP and Congress. Analysts say the case may shape public perceptions around corruption and governance, while also influencing voter sentiment.
Chaitanya Baghel’s arrest marks a significant escalation in the liquor scam probe, bringing the controversy directly into the family of a former Chief Minister. As the case unfolds, it is set to dominate Chhattisgarh’s political discourse in the months ahead.
