Raipur: A special PMLA court in Raipur extended the custody of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in connection with multi-crore alleged liquor scam.
Chaitanya was sent to 14-day judicial custody after he was produced before the court following completion of his initial remand of 5 days on July 22.
Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Chaitanya Baghel on July 18, marking another high-profile arrest in the multi-crore scam that allegedly unfolded under the previous regime of Congress government led by former CM Bhupesh Baghel.
“Chaitanya Baghel’s custodial remand was ending today, so he was produced before the court today. As of now, he has been sent to judicial custody till August 4. In this money laundering case, if evidence is found against anyone else, they are summoned,” informed ED’s counsel Saurabh Pandey.
#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: ED officials, along with former CM Bhupesh Baghel's son Chaitanya Baghel, arrive at the end of his custody in connection with a liquor case.
ED says that investigation revealed that Chaitanya Baghel, who was arrested on July 18 in state liquor scam case… pic.twitter.com/TSCje6xfNF
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ED’s demand for extending the custody of Chaitanya however was opposed by his counsel Faizal Rizvi who alleged procedural lapses and suppression of facts by the agency. Rizvi further alleged ED’s action as one sided claiming that his client was not allowed to present his views at the time of arrest.
Chaitanya received “proceeds of crime” worth Rs 16.70 crore: ED
According to ED, Chaitanya Baghel, received Proceeds Of Crime (PoC) worth Rs 16.70 crore.
“Chaitanya allegedly routed the illicit funds through his real estate firms and used them in the development of a real estate project. The funds were laundered through cash payments to contractors and through falsified banking entries,” ED had said in its statement.
ED investigation further revealed that Chaitanya, in collusion with businessman Trilok Singh Dhillon, devised a scheme to indirectly receive Rs 5 crore under the guise of flat purchases in the “Vitthalpuram Project,” with payments made in the names of Dhillon’s employees.
“Banking trails show that during this time, Dhillon had received substantial payments from the liquor syndicate,” said the agency.
In a larger revelation, the ED stated that Chaitanya Baghel was involved in handling over Rs 1,000 crore of proceeds from the liquor scam. “He reportedly coordinated with key accused Anwar Dhebar and others to facilitate the transfer of illicit funds to the then treasurer of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee.”
The ED added that significant portions of this money were further invested through close associates of the Baghel family. “The end-use of these funds remains under investigation.”
Arrest of Kawasi Lakhma
ED arrested senior Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma in connection with Rs 2100 crore liquor scam in January this year.
As per the agency, Lakhma used to “receive” a substantial amount in cash on a monthly basis out of proceeds of crime generated from the alleged liquor scam.
In a supplementary chargesheet filed before the court in June this year, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Chhattisgarh alleged the former Excise Minister for receiving Rs 60 crore from the scam.
“Under his protection a well-planned scam was executed through departmental officers, associate and contractors. It has been proved that Kawasi Lakhma has received Rs 64 crore as his share as a result of the excise scam,” EOW had claimed in a statement.
ED investigations into the liquor scam
ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by EOW under various sections of Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in the Liquor scam in the state of Chhattisgarh.
A police investigation has revealed that the alleged liquor scam resulted in a massive loss to the state exchequer and filled the pockets of the beneficiaries with more than Rs 2,500 crore in proceeds of crime generated by the commission of scheduled offences.
Earlier, the ED had arrested several prominent figures in the same case, including former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Arvind Singh, Trilok Singh Dhillon, Anwar Dhebar, Arun Pati Tripathi (ITS), and Anwar Dhebar, elder brother of Congress leader and former Raipur mayor Ezaj Dhebar.
EOW’s investigation into the case
EOW in January 2024 filed a First Information Report (FIR) into the matter naming as many as 70 people including of businessmen, leaders of the Congress party, and a few state officials, in connection with the multi-crore scam.
The case was registered on the basis of a report of ED in which the agency had claimed to unearth Rs 2100 crore liquor scam in the state being operated by a cartel composed of bureaucrats, private liquor suppliers, government officials and persons with heavy political backing.
EOW in July last year filed a 9000 page chargesheet against key accused Anwar Dhebar, Arun Pati Tripathi and others before a special court of Raipur. The agency filed a supplementary chargesheet into the case in June this year naming jailed Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma.
(With inputs from agencies)
