Raipur: Enforcement Directorate [ED] on September 15 filed a fresh prosecution complaint or chargesheet in a Chhattisgarh court in connection with multi-crore alleged liquor scam.
ED in its prosecution complaint has named Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as an accused. According to the agency Chaitanya was in helm of the syndicate behind Rs 2100 crore liquor scam.
The agency in its chargesheet has alleged Chaitanya for handling nearly Rs 1000 crore worth of ‘proceeds of crime’ [PoC] generated allegedly from the said liquor scam.
In its over 7000-page chargesheet filed before the court, the agency has accused Chaitanya for allegedly using the PoC for development of business ventures.
This was the fourth chargeshhet filed by ED in connection with the scam that according to the agency flourished in the state in the tenure of the previous Congress government headed by former CM Bhupesh Baghel. The agency has also submitted digital evidences and other proofs along with the chargesheet.
ED arrested Chaitanya Baghel on July 18 in connection with the multi-crore scam. The agency following his arrest claimed, that Chaitanya received 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.
Chaitanya following his arrest had approached the Supreme Court [SC], challenging his arrest by ED as unlawful. The SC however had directed him to approach the Chhattisgarh High Court with regard to the individual reliefs against investigation and arrest in the case.
Chhattisgarh liquor scam case
The multi-crore liquor scam according to ED resulted in a massive loss to the state exchequer and filled the pockets of the beneficiaries with more than Rs 2,100 crore in PoC generated by the commission of scheduled offences.
The agency arrested several prominent figures in the case, including former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Arvind Singh, Trilok Singh Dhillon, Arun Pati Tripathi (ITS), and Anwar Dhebar.
Senior Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma was also arrested by ED in connection with the case. Lakhma, a former Excise Minister and sitting MLA from Bastar was arrested by the agency in January this year. He is currently lodging at the Raipur Central Jail.
As per ED, Lakhma used to “receive” a substantial amount in cash on a monthly basis out of PoC generated from the said liqour scam.
Notably, the Economic Offences Wing [EOW] of Chhattisgarh has also registered a separate First Information Report [FIR] in connection with the case. The agency has named a total of 70 people and already submitted multiple chargesheets before the court.
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