Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: Eighth Charge Sheet Filed Against Ex-CM’s Son

In a significant development regarding the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, the Economic Offences Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB) lodged the eighth charge sheet against Chaitanya Baghel, the son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in a Special Court in Raipur. This charge sheet, part of the ongoing investigation, provides updates on the status of the arrested individuals, digital evidence reports, and progress on inquiries into those not yet apprehended.
Authorities suggest that more revelations may surface as the investigation continues. Allegations point to Chaitanya Baghel’s crucial involvement in setting up and managing an illicit “recovery system” or syndicate within the state Excise Department during the tenure of the previous Congress government led by his father, Bhupesh Baghel, who was the Chief Minister at the time.
Accused of playing a significant role, Baghel is said to have connected top-level administrative figures like Anil Tuteja, Saumya Chaurasia, Arunpati Tripathi, and Niranjan Das with lower-level operators such as Anwar Dhebar, Arvind Singh, and Vikas Agarwal. His alleged actions include directing illegal fund transfers and overseeing the movement of scam proceeds collected by Dhebar’s network to higher levels through trusted associates.
Reports indicate that Baghel received a substantial share, estimated at Rs 200-250 crore, through banking channels into family businesses associated with Trilok Singh Dhillon, which were then invested in real estate ventures. Additionally, further funds allegedly reached him through acquaintances and family connections. The charge sheet underscores how the syndicate operated with impunity for an extended period due to high-level political and administrative protection.
The total amount of the scam’s illicit gains is currently estimated at around Rs 3,074 crore, with projections suggesting it could exceed Rs 3,500 crore by the end of the investigation. The irregularities, which took place between 2019 and 2022 under the leadership of Bhupesh Baghel, involved unauthorized liquor sales, kickbacks, and policy manipulations, resulting in substantial revenue losses for the state treasury.
Previous investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a parallel money-laundering case have yielded similar findings, leading to the arrest of several individuals, including Chaitanya Baghel, earlier this year. The recent filing by the EOW/ACB further intensifies scrutiny on the upper echelons of the syndicate.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to raise concerns about governance and accountability in what is being described as one of India’s largest alleged excise scandals.