Chhattisgarh High Court Grants Bail to Chaitanya Baghel Amid Liquor Scam Allegations

Bail Granted to Chaitanya Baghel

On Friday, the Chhattisgarh High Court approved bail for Chaitanya Baghel, the son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with two cases tied to a purported liquor scam in the state.

Chaitanya was taken into custody on July 18 and has been incarcerated for over five months.

The court's decision to grant bail pertains to a money-laundering case initiated by the Enforcement Directorate, as well as a corruption case brought forth by the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing and the Anti-Corruption Bureau. The full details of the court's order are still pending release.

Prosecutors have claimed that from 2019 to 2022, a group comprising senior bureaucrats, politicians, and officials from the excise department established an illicit excise system, leading to a staggering loss of Rs 3,074 crore to the state's finances.

Bhupesh Baghel served as the chief minister of Chhattisgarh from December 2018 until December 2023.

The Enforcement Directorate has accused Chaitanya Baghel of managing Rs 1,000 crore obtained through illegal activities. Additionally, the Economic Offences Wing and Anti-Corruption Bureau allege he received between Rs 200 crore and Rs 250 crore as his share of the illicit proceeds.

Chaitanya's attorney contended last month that the prosecution lacks substantial evidence, relying instead on statements from absconding accused individuals.

Other individuals implicated in the alleged scam include former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma, Special Secretary Arun Pati Tripathi, and IAS officer Anil Tuteja.

They face charges of corruption, cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.