Who is Chaitanya Baghel? Former CM’s Son Arrested in Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam

July 18, 2025 – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in a major development linked to the Chhattisgarh liquor scam. The arrest took place just hours after the agency raided his Bhilai home—and coincidentally, on his birthday.

The arrest is part of a long-running investigation into a massive excise scam that allegedly operated between 2019 and 2022. The ED claims a powerful liquor syndicate generated over Rs 2,161 crore through illegal activities in the state.

What is the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam?

The ED probe uncovered that a syndicate, including key figures like Anwar Dhebar and Anil Tuteja, collected bribes and illegal commissions through multiple channels:

• Part-A Commission: Distillers were forced to pay per case of liquor bought by the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation (CSMCL).

• Part-B (Kacha liquor): Unrecorded sale of country-made liquor, bypassing all government records. None of this money reached the state treasury.

• Part-C Commission: Distillers paid bribes to form a cartel and secure fixed market shares.

• Foreign liquor scams: Bribes were also taken from FL-10A license holders for selling premium brands.

So far, the ED has already attached properties worth Rs 205 crore linked to this scam.

What is Chaitanya Baghel’s Role?

Chaitanya Baghel was not formally part of politics, though he is connected to the Congress party like his father. He helps manage the family’s vegetable farm and had past involvement in real estate.

Between 2018 and 2023, when Bhupesh Baghel was CM, there were talks about Chaitanya entering politics, but it never materialized. There was speculation he could contest from Patan Assembly seat if his father won the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat—but that plan was dropped when his father lost.

Chaitanya had previously been interrogated by Bhilai Police in connection with an attack on a college professor in July 2024. He was questioned for four hours after some of the accused mentioned his name.

Bhupesh Baghel Reacts

Speaking to reporters, Bhupesh Baghel called the ED’s actions politically motivated. “To please their masters, Modi and Shah have sent ED to my house. We won’t be afraid. We will fight the battle of truth,” he said.

He added, “In Bihar, voters are being removed with the help of the Election Commission. Here, ED and CBI are used to silence opposition. But the people now understand everything.”