In the alleged liquor scam and money laundering case of Chhattisgarh, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) started raiding the locations of former Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya Baghel from Monday morning. During this raid, action is also being taken at many other places in the state.
The ED has already arrested the bureaucrats, traders and many others of the state government in this case. The agency says that the state’s liquor scam caused huge loss to the state, and illegal earnings of more than Rs 2100 crore went into the pockets of various beneficiaries of liquor syndicate.
Where are the raids of ED?
According to official sources, ED has raided the bases of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, his son Chaitanya Baghel and his close ones.
- Action on Chaitanya Baghel’s house and other locations in Bhilai
- ED raid at 14 places in Durg district
- The houses of close associates and traders of former CM also targeted
This raid is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED suspects that Chaitanya Baghel is also a beneficiary of black money generated from this scam.
How did the liquor scam in Chhattisgarh?
According to the ED, there was an organized scam in Chhattisgarh via liquor syndicate, causing heavy losses to the state exchequer.
- Illegal income of Rs 2161 crore was extracted from the government’s liquor business.
- Black money was made white through fake bills and dummy companies.
- The scam went on with the connivance of state government officials, traders and politicians.
The ED is searching for new evidence and transactions related to this scam.
What did Bhupesh Baghel say on the raid?
After the action of ED, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel reacted to the social media platform ‘X’ (first Twitter).
they wrote,
“When the court rejected the false case that has been going on for seven years, now the guests of ED have reached my Bhilai residence. If this conspiracy is an attempt to stop the Congress, then it is a misunderstanding. “
Baghel claims that this action is being taken in a sense of political revenge and its purpose is to harm the Congress in the upcoming elections.
What will be ahead?
This raid of ED has caused the political atmosphere in Chhattisgarh.
- If strong evidence is found, then legal action can be taken against Chaitanya Baghel and other colleagues.
- Investigations against Bhupesh Baghel may intensify.
- The pressure on the Congress may increase before the elections.
