The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids on Monday at multiple locations linked to Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, as part of an investigation into the state's alleged liquor scam.

During the searches, the ED seized some electronic devices and important documents. Chaitanya Baghel's name surfaced during the agency’s ongoing probe into a money laundering case related to the scam. The raids are being conducted at 14 locations across Chhattisgarh, including places connected to the former Chief Minister's son and other individuals involved in the case. According to sources cited by India Today TV, Chaitanya Baghel may be called by the Enforcement Directorate for the first round of questioning today.  According to a probe agency official, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has discovered that Chaitanya Baghel also received money linked to the scam. 

The total amount involved in the fraud is around ₹2,161 crore, which was misused through various schemes. "During the investigation, we have uncovered some evidence that links Chaitanya Baghel to the scam. Based on the existing evidence, we are conducting these searches," ED sources said. The ED investigation has revealed a well-organised network involving senior bureaucrats, politicians, and Excise Department officials. This group is accused of running a hidden excise system, where liquor was sold without proper records through government-run outlets. As a result, a significant amount of revenue was diverted away from the state. The agency claimed that these individuals were key players in the scam, which involved manipulating procurement procedures and taking commissions from specific liquor manufacturers. 

According to the ED’s investigation, this corruption caused a loss of ₹2,161 crore to the state exchequer. In response, the agency has seized properties worth around ₹205.49 crore belonging to various accused individuals, including businessmen and former bureaucrats. Bhupesh Baghel has dismissed the scam allegations, calling the ED’s actions politically driven. The ED action today came even after the "false case going on for seven years was dismissed in court," the former chief minister tweeted, condemning the raids. According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh took place between 2019 and 2022, during the tenure of the Congress government led by Bhupesh Baghel.