The Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has alleged that Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, personally benefited Rs 200-250 crore from a liquor scam between 2019 and 2022. The supplementary chargesheet claims he acted as a bridge between officials and the syndicate, causing a Rs 3,074 crore loss to the state exchequer. Chaitanya's lawyer maintains there is no evidence against him.
The Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and Anti-Corruption Bureau filed a supplementary chargesheet on Monday in the alleged liquor scam. It accuses Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, of personally benefiting Rs 200-250 crore during 2019-2022, when his father led the state.
According to the agency, a syndicate of senior bureaucrats, politicians, and excise officials operated a 'parallel' department, selling illegal liquor and extracting commissions from sales, leading to a Rs 3,074 crore loss to the state exchequer—potentially exceeding Rs 3,500 crore upon further probe. Chaitanya is accused of serving as a bridge between officials and the syndicate, including Anwar Dhebar, brother of Congress Raipur mayor Aijaz Dhebar.
Investigators claim Chaitanya facilitated the transfer of scam proceeds collected by Anwar Dhebar's team to higher levels and received his share via firms linked to suspect Trilok Singh Dhillon. The funds were allegedly routed to family-owned firms and real estate projects. The agency's press release states, "The scale of the scam evidence indicates that besides managing funds at a high level, Chaitanya personally received approximately 200-250 crore rupees."
Chaitanya was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in July, which is investigating money laundering angles. His lawyer, Faisal Rizvi, told The Indian Express, "The EOW has no evidence. They are making a case based on statements of absconding accused in the case." The case revolves around irregularities in the state's liquor policy, where the syndicate bootlegged alcohol into government shops and extorted illegal commissions.
