The involvement of politicians in financial scams is not new in India. In recent times, liquor-related scams have repeatedly surfaced, leading to massive financial losses to state governments. After the much-publicized Delhi liquor policy scam, Chhattisgarh has now come under the scanner, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) cracking down on an alleged ₹5,000 crore liquor scam.
At the center of this controversy is former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son, Chaitanya Baghel, both of whom are under investigation for their alleged involvement in illegal liquor trade and money laundering. The ED has recently summoned Chaitanya Baghel for questioning, and speculations of his possible arrest are making headlines.
The Liquor Scam: What We Know So Far
The investigation revolves around allegations that a large-scale illicit liquor syndicate operated in Chhattisgarh during Bhupesh Baghel’s tenure as Chief Minister. The ED claims that a parallel, illegal system was created alongside the official government excise system, facilitating massive corruption. Liquor companies, distributors, and retailers allegedly bypassed regulatory oversight, resulting in the siphoning off of huge sums of money.
While initial estimates pegged the scam at ₹2,000 crore, recent assessments suggest that the loss to the state exchequer could exceed ₹5,000 crore. The ED has conducted multiple raids across Chhattisgarh, including at the residences of key political figures.
The ED’s Action and Recent Developments
On March 10, the ED conducted searches at 14 locations linked to individuals involved in the alleged scam. A significant amount of cash—₹33 lakh—was recovered from Bhupesh Baghel’s residence. Following the raids, the ED summoned his son, Chaitanya Baghel, for questioning regarding the source and movement of these funds.
As per ED sources, Chaitanya Baghel is suspected to have played a role in laundering money from the liquor scam. If substantial evidence emerges during the interrogation, his arrest could follow soon.
Congress’ Reaction and Political Fallout
The Congress party has come out strongly in defense of Bhupesh Baghel, calling the ED’s actions politically motivated. Baghel himself held a press conference, accusing the central government of misusing investigative agencies to target opposition leaders. He claimed that his phone was confiscated and that he was not allowed to contact anyone during the raids.
Meanwhile, Congress workers staged protests outside Baghel’s residence and the ED office. Some demonstrators allegedly turned violent, attacking ED officials and vandalizing their vehicles. An FIR has been registered against several Congress supporters involved in these incidents.
Comparisons with the Delhi Liquor Scam
The Chhattisgarh liquor scam bears similarities to the Delhi liquor policy controversy, where the AAP-led Delhi government was accused of favoring private liquor vendors in exchange for kickbacks. The scam allegedly resulted in a loss of over ₹2,000 crore to the Delhi government. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in connection with the case.
The Chhattisgarh case, however, is larger in scale, with significantly higher financial losses estimated. The ED’s focus on political figures and their close associates indicates that this case could lead to high-profile arrests.
The Legal and Political Implications
If the ED’s findings hold in court, it could have serious consequences for Bhupesh Baghel and the Congress party in Chhattisgarh. An arrest of Chaitanya Baghel would add to the Congress party’s growing list of legal troubles, further weakening its political standing in the state and nationally.
On the other hand, if Congress manages to counter these allegations effectively, it could rally support by portraying the ED’s actions as an attempt to stifle opposition voices ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The Chhattisgarh liquor scam is shaping up to be a major political and legal battle. With ED raids uncovering crucial evidence and more interrogations lined up, the next few weeks could determine the fate of the accused. Whether the case leads to arrests or fades into political rhetoric remains to be seen, but for now, it has added to the growing list of corruption cases that continue to shake Indian politics.
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