The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth ₹61.20 crore belonging to Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam.
According to the agency, the attached properties comprise 364 residential plots and agricultural lands valued at ₹59.96 crore, along with movable assets, including bank balances and fixed deposits, amounting to ₹1.24 crore. These assets were attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The attachment, executed by ED’s Chhattisgarh zonal office on November 10, follows earlier seizures of immovable assets worth approximately ₹215 crore linked to the same case. The agency’s probe stems from a First Information Report registered by Chhattisgarh’s Anti-Corruption Branch and Economic Offences Wing under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
ED stated that the investigation revealed a large-scale scam which caused heavy losses to the state exchequer and allegedly generated over ₹2,500 crore in proceeds of crime.
Also read: Bhupesh Baghel's son Chaitanya handled ₹1K cr in liquor scam: ED
“Investigation conducted under PMLA has revealed that Chaitanya Baghel, son of Bhupesh Baghel, was positioned at the apex of the liquor syndicate. His position as the Chief Minister's son made him the controller and ultimate authority of the liquor syndicate. He was responsible for maintaining the ‘hisab’ (accounts) of all illicit funds collected by the syndicate. All major decisions relating to collection, channelisation, and distribution of such funds (POC) were taken under his directions,” the ED said in its statement.
The agency further claimed that Chaitanya was a recipient of proceeds of crime, which he allegedly layered through his real estate business and projected as legitimate assets. “Chaitanya utilised POC generated from the liquor scam for development of his real estate project ‘Vitthal Green’ under his proprietorship concern, M/s Baghel Developers,” the statement added.
Chaitanya Baghel, who was arrested by the ED on July 18 this year, remains in judicial custody.
Earlier arrests in the case include former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Arvind Singh, Trilok Singh Dhillon, Anwar Dhebar, Arun Pati Tripathi (ITS), and former excise minister and MLA Kawasi Lakhma.
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