ED Attaches Assets Worth ₹61.20 Crore of Chaitanya Baghel in Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam.

Headnote:

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) provisionally attached assets worth ₹61.20 crore belonging to Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The attached properties include 364 residential and agricultural plots valued at ₹59.96 crore and bank deposits worth ₹1.24 crore.

Background:

• The ED’s action follows an FIR registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offences Wing (ACB/EOW), Raipur, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, concerning the multi-crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh.

• The police investigation revealed that the liquor syndicate caused a loss of over ₹2,500 crore to the state exchequer through illegal operations.

• ED investigation found that Chaitanya Baghel was at the apex of the liquor syndicate, overseeing the collection, management, and distribution of illicit funds (“hisab”) generated through the scam.

• He allegedly layered and laundered the proceeds of crime through his real estate business — particularly via his proprietorship concern, M/s Baghel Developers, under the project “Vitthal Green”.

• Baghel was arrested by ED on 18 July 2025 and remains in judicial custody.

Court’s Observations / Investigation Findings:

• The ED concluded that Baghel exercised full control over the syndicate’s financial operations due to his political influence and familial connection to the former Chief Minister.

• The proceeds of crime were used to purchase and develop real estate properties, which were projected as legitimate assets.

• Earlier, several key figures including Anil Tuteja (Ex-IAS), Arvind Singh, Trilok Singh Dhillon, Anwar Dhebar, Arun Pati Tripathi (ITS), and Kawasi Lakhma (MLA and then Excise Minister) were arrested in the same case.

Previous Attachments:

• Prior to this action, the ED had already attached immovable properties valued at approximately ₹215 crore in the same case.

• The latest attachment of ₹61.20 crore is in continuation of earlier proceedings, bringing the cumulative value of attached assets to about ₹276 crore.

Status:

Further investigation into the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam and related money-laundering activities is under progress.

Authority: Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Raipur Zonal Office

Date of Press Release: 13 November 2025

Date of Attachment: 10 November 2025

Law Invoked: Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002

Value of Attached Assets: ₹61.20 Crore