Chaitanya Baghel granted bail in ₹3,500-crore liquor store scam cases
Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, has been granted bail in two cases linked to an alleged liquor store scam. The Chhattisgarh High Court’s decision follows his arrest in 2022 over accusations of heading a liquor syndicate worth thousands of crores. The scam reportedly took place during the Congress government’s rule between 2019 and 2022.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Chaitanya Baghel on 18 July 2022, accusing him of leading a liquor store syndicate that handled nearly Rs 1,000 crore. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) later arrested him again on 24 September 2022 while he was already in custody. Investigators allege he received Rs 200-250 crore as his share, with total proceeds from the liquor store scam exceeding Rs 3,500 crore.
The ED, India’s federal financial crimes agency, filed a chargesheet against Baghel under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). His bail was granted in both the ED and ACB/EOW cases, prompting a response from his father. Bhupesh Baghel welcomed the court’s ruling, describing it as a 'victory of truth'.
The high court’s bail order marks a legal turning point in the liquor store scam investigation. Chaitanya Baghel remains linked to allegations of large-scale financial irregularities during his father’s tenure as chief minister. The case now awaits further judicial proceedings.
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