Who is ex-Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel's son Chaitanya, raided by ED in multi-crore liquor scam?

Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel (Courtesy: Facebook)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations in Chhattigarh on March 10 in an alleged multi-crore liquor scam. Among the premises searched by the law enforcement agency include that of former Chief Minsiter of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya in Durg district's Bhilai town.

According to sources, ED conducted the raids based on information that Chaitanya Baghel allegedly received proceeds of crime generated from the liquor scam. Reports suggest a total of Rs 2,161 crore was siphoned off through various schemes between 2019 and 2023 under the scam.

Baghel, who served as the CM from 2018 to 2023, revealed hours after the probe that the ED found cash worth Rs 33 lakh which he described as part of family savings, farming and dairy income. In addition, he said, the agency found a pen drive with a conversation about financial transactions involving Manturam and Puneet Gupta, son-in-law of Raman Singh (the longest serving CM of the state) and papers related to SAIL linked to Abhishek Singh, son of Raman Singh.

Who is Chaitanya Baghel?

Associated with the Congress party, Chaitanya is the son of former Chhattigarh CM Bhupesh Baghel. He is currently looking after the Baghel family's vegetable farm. Prior to this, he was involved in the real estate business.

According to party insiders, Chaitanya preferred to kept his safe distance from politics. He formal entry into politics was initially planned between 2018-2023 when his father was the Chief Minister. However, for reasons unknown, the plan did not materialise.

The next attempt was made last year when Baghel was nominated to contest the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat.

"Then last year, when Baghel was nominated to contest the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat, speculation was rife that Chaitanya would be fielded from the Patan Assembly seat (which his father represents) if his father won. But as Baghel lost, the plan was shelved," The Indian Express said quoting a source.

Monday's ED raid was not Chaitanya's first encounter with the law enforcement agencies. Durg police had questioned the junior Baghel in connection with the attempted murder of a Bhilai professor last year. He was summoned in September 2024, after Bhupesh Baghel wrote to ex-CJI DY Chandrachud alleging that both the state and central agencies were being "misused" to target him and his family.