The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided multiple locations linked to Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, on Monday in connection with the state’s alleged liquor scam.

Chaitanya Baghel’s name surfaced during the ED’s investigation into a money laundering case related to the scam. Officials are currently searching 14 locations across Chhattisgarh, including properties linked to him and other individuals involved in the case.

An official from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) stated that Chaitanya Baghel also received money from the liquor scam, which involved about ₹2,161 crore being illegally transferred through various schemes.
"During our investigation, we found evidence linking Chaitanya Baghel to the scam. Based on this, we are conducting these searches," ED sources told India Today.

The investigation has disclosed a network of senior bureaucrats, politicians, and Excise Department officials who allegedly ran a parallel liquor system. They are accused of selling unaccounted liquor through government shops without proper records, causing huge financial losses to the state.

The scam reportedly involved the use of fake holograms and bottles to sell illegal liquor. In July 2023, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a case against several key figures, including Anwar Dhebar (brother of Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar), former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, and Arunpati Tripathi, the Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL).

The ED accused them of playing major roles in the liquor scam by manipulating procurement processes and taking commissions from selected liquor manufacturers. According to the investigation, this alleged corruption caused a loss of ₹2,161 crore to the state. In response, the ED has seized properties worth around ₹205.49 crore belonging to businessmen and former government officials involved in the case.

Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has denied the allegations, calling the ED’s actions politically motivated.
Criticizing the raids, Baghel tweeted that the ED continued its action even after the "false case that had been ongoing for seven years was dismissed in court."

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