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The ED has alleged that a cartel of government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen ran a scheme that illegally collected around Rs 2,161 crore from the sale of liquor in the state between 2019 and 2022
Security personnel stand guard during raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on premises linked to Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel. (PTI)
In more trouble for Bhupesh Baghel and his supporters, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has lodged an FIR against Congress workers who obstructed ED officials during a raid on Monday.
The Chhattisgarh Police have filed an FIR under BNS sections 191 (2), 190, 221, 132, 126 (2) and Section 3 of The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. ED, in its complaint, has accused Congress workers of ‘gheraoing’ the vehicle in which its officials were travelling and pelting stones at them. “The glass of the vehicle broke. It was an attempt to obstruct government servants from doing their duty,” the complaint noted.
Police said while one person has been identified as Sunny Agarwal, 15 others are being tracked after scrutinising videos and pictures available.
Rs 30 Lakh Recovered
Meanwhile, ED officials said Rs 30 lakh in cash was recovered from the residence of the former chief minister. The agency suspects that Chaitanya Baghel, Bhupesh Baghel’s son, was a beneficiary of the alleged corruption in granting liquor licences in the state.
“Chaitanya Baghel is also a recipient of proceeds of crime generated from the liquor scam wherein total proceeds of crime is around Rs 2,161 crore siphoned off through various schemes,” an official from the agency said.
ED searches at 14 locations, including Baghel’s residence, were to look for evidence that the proceeds of crime were laundered away. “Rs 30 lakh in cash, digital devices and documents have been seized,” ED sources said.
However, in a late-night post on X, Baghel said all that ED could recover were pen drives which hold evidence of corruption of former chief minister Raman Singh and his son.
“ED has left the house. They found three things in my house: 1. Pen drive containing conversation about transaction of crores between Manturam and Dr. Puneet Gupta (Dr. Raman Singh’s son-in-law) 2. Papers of SAIL company of Dr. Raman Singh’s son Abhishek Singh 3. The total of farming, dairy, Stridhan and “cash in hand” in the entire joint family is about 33 lakh rupees, the account of which will be given to them. The main thing is that ED officials have not been able to provide any ECIR number,” he said.
Baghel also told the media in Durg that the amount seized is not big and he can account for it. “They had come with cash-counting machines and seized about Rs 33 lakh which is not a big amount. The overall idea is to defame me. For four years, they have been probing this case. How long will it continue? he asked.
Baghel claimed that he had not received any summons for questioning by ED. The agency also clarified that they are examining the evidence at this stage and no summons have been issued to Chaitanya or the former chief minister.
What Is The Case?
The ED has alleged that a cartel of government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen ran a scheme that illegally collected around Rs 2,161 crore from the sale of liquor in the state between 2019 and 2022. The alleged scam involved manipulation of the liquor supply chain, where a cartel controlled the sale and distribution of alcohol through government-run shops.
A portion of liquor sold was not accounted for in official records, and bribes were allegedly collected from suppliers to allow its sale outside the legal system.
ED arrested former excise minister Kawasi Lakma in January this year. Raids on Chaitanya Baghel were on the basis of fresh evidence that emerged after questioning Lakma, officials said.
- Location :
Chhattisgarh, India, India
