Explosive Revelations in the Chargesheet

The investigation agency has made several serious allegations regarding Chaitanya Baghel’s role in the case:

• Massive Financial Gains: According to the EOW, Chaitanya Baghel allegedly received between ₹200 and ₹250 crore from the liquor scam.

• Key Player in a Larger Conspiracy: The EOW claims that a substantial portion of the illegal money collected through a liquor syndicate was directly linked to him.

Recent Arrests in the Case

Central agencies have been tightening the noose in the liquor scam and money laundering probe. Last week, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) made two more high-profile arrests:

• Saumya Chourasia: Former Deputy Secretary to the Chief Minister, taken into custody again.

• Niranjan Das: Former Excise Department official, also arrested.

Illegal Earnings of ₹2,500 Crore Alleged

The ED began its probe based on an FIR registered by the ACB-EOW, Raipur, under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Investigations revealed that the scam allegedly caused massive losses to the state exchequer, with illegal earnings estimated at around ₹2,500 crore.

Chaitanya Baghel Allegedly Head of the Syndicate

According to the ED, Chaitanya Baghel was positioned at the top of the liquor syndicate. Due to his political influence as the then Chief Minister’s son, he allegedly acted as the controller and final decision-maker of the entire network.
He is accused of maintaining accounts of the illegal collections and directing key decisions related to collection, channelisation, and distribution of the proceeds of crime.

Money Allegedly Invested in Real Estate

The ED further stated that the illicit earnings were laundered through real estate projects. Chaitanya Baghel allegedly invested the scam proceeds in the “Vitthal Green” project, operated under his firm M/s Baghel Developers, to project the illegal money as legitimate assets. He was arrested by the ED on July 18, 2025, and is currently in judicial custody.

Previous Attachments Worth ₹215 Crore

Earlier, the ED had arrested several accused, including former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Arvind Singh, Trilok Singh Dhillon, Anwar Dhebar, excise officer Arunpati Tripathi (ITS), and former Excise Minister and current MLA Kawasi Lakhma. Their properties were also attached.
On November 10, the ED’s Raipur Zonal Office provisionally attached assets worth ₹61.20 crore belonging to Chaitanya Baghel under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Case Registered Under Multiple Laws

The ED’s investigation is based on an FIR registered by the ACB/EOW, Raipur, under various provisions of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the Chhattisgarh liquor scam. Police investigations have indicated that beneficiaries earned nearly ₹2,500 crore through illegal means, causing significant losses to the state treasury.

What Is the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam?

The ED is probing the case after an FIR alleging a scam of over ₹2,000 crore. Investigators claim that during the tenure of the Bhupesh Baghel government, a syndicate involving IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Excise Department MD A.P. Tripathi, and businessman Anwar Dhebar orchestrated the scam.

Scam Operated Under Three Categories

A. Commission from Distilleries:
From 2019 onwards, distillery operators allegedly paid commissions of ₹75 per case, later increased to ₹100 per case. To offset losses, liquor prices were raised in new tenders, and overbilling was permitted.

B. Sale of Liquor with Fake Holograms through Government Shops:
Extra liquor was produced, fitted with fake holograms, and sold through government outlets. A network was set up to supply fake holograms and empty bottles, enabling large-scale illegal sales without recording them in official documents. Prices were initially fixed at ₹2,880 per case and later increased to ₹3,840.
Investigators found evidence that around 40 lakh cases of such liquor were sold with the alleged involvement of shop staff and excise officials.

This case continues to unfold as central and state agencies intensify their investigations into one of Chhattisgarh’s biggest alleged corruption scandals.