Chhattisgarh liquor ‘scam’: HC grants bail to ex-CM Baghel’s son Chaitanya

The Chhattisgarh high court on Friday granted bail to former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel’s son Chaitanya Baghel in two cases linked to the alleged ₹3,000 crore liquor scam in the state

Published on: Jan 3, 2026, 05:28:11 IST

By Ritesh Mishra, Raipur

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The Chhattisgarh high court on Friday granted bail to former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel’s son Chaitanya Baghel in two cases linked to the alleged ₹3,000 crore liquor scam in the state. Bhupesh Baghel welcomed the high court’s decision, calling it a “victory of truth”.

The ED had arrested Chaitanya Baghel in July last year in connection with its money laundering investigation into the alleged scam. (ANI)

“The court granted bail in two separate cases. One which was registered by the Enforcement Directorate and the other by the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offences Wing (ACB/EOW),” ED’s counsel Saurabh Kumar Pande told reporters.

The ED had arrested Chaitanya Baghel in July last year in connection with its money laundering investigation into the alleged scam. Subsequently, the ACB/EOW arrested him in September in its corruption case while he was still lodged in jail.

According to ED, the alleged liquor “scam” was orchestrated between 2019 and 2022, a period when Chhattisgarh was governed by the Congress under Bhupesh Baghel. The agency has alleged that the scam caused a “massive loss” to the state exchequer while benefiting a liquor syndicate.

The federal agency had claimed that Chaitanya Baghel was at the helm of the alleged syndicate and personally handled nearly ₹1,000 crore generated from the purported scam.

The ACB/EOW, in its case, has alleged that apart from managing the proceeds of crime at a higher level, Chaitanya Baghel received around ₹200–250 crore as his share. The state agency has further claimed that the total proceeds of crime generated from the alleged liquor scam could exceed ₹3,500 crore.

Welcoming the order, former CM Baghel said: “Truth may be troubled, but it cannot be defeated. The high court has given a great relief. It is a matter of great happiness that Chaitanya has been granted bail.”

“Chaitanya was arrested based on the statement of one Pappu Bansal, who is an absconder. I have been saying this from the beginning that the central and the state governments have been leaving no stone unturned to harass us,” he added, alleging that agencies such as ED, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and EOW were being used to harass opposition leaders.

“Those who get scared, join their party or compromise, while those who do not are sent to jail. Our ancestors went to jail during the fight for Independence. If they did not fear the Britishers, why should we fear them (BJP) today?” Baghel said.

BJP spokesperson Sacchinand Upasane said, “Bail does not mean that he is innocent. The case will proceed and the investigation will continue.”

with PTI inputs

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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