Raipur: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting raids at the residence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in Raipur and Bhilai, said a statement from the office of the former CM.
According to preliminary reports, the raids are being conducted in connection with the Mahadev Online Book betting app, though a confirmation in this regard is awaited. Raids are also being conducted at the premises linked to IPS officers Arif Sheikh and Abhishek Pallav.
Baghel was set to reach Delhi today for the meeting of the All India Congress Committee’s ‘Drafting Committee’ constituted for the AICC meeting to be held in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on 8 and 9 April.
Taking to a social media post, the office of Bhupesh Baghel on his X handle wrote, “Now CBI has come. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is scheduled to go to Delhi today for the meeting of the “Drafting Committee” constituted for the AICC meeting to be held in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on 8 and 9 April. Even before that, CBI has reached Raipur and Bhilai residence. (Office-Bhupesh Baghel)”
Visuals from the residence of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, showed a team of CBI reaching his residence.
Raipur | CBI raids underway at the residence of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel in a case related to the Mahadev betting app https://t.co/MG5m1yLNNR
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2025
On March 10, the ED conducted searches at the residence of Bhupesh Baghel, his son Chaitanya Baghel and others in connection with an ongoing probe into the alleged multi-crore liquor scam.
The former CM in a post on social media later claimed that the ED has only recovered Rs 33 lakh from his residence and the account of which will be given to them. He further alleged that the agency has not provided him with ECIR number.
“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.
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.
The agency has earlier conducted multiple raids, including on politicians and bureaucrats linked to the previous Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh.
(With inputs from ANI)
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