On March 10, 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at 14 locations in Chhattisgarh's Durg district, including the residences of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son, Chaitanya Baghel, in connection with an alleged ₹2,161 crore liquor scam.Â
During the raid at Bhupesh Baghel's residence, ED officials seized approximately ₹33 lakh in cash. Baghel explained that this amount was consistent with his family's agricultural income, stating, "We farm on 140 acres of land... ₹33 lakh cash was found from different people—my wife, son, daughter-in-law, and daughters.
As ED officials departed Baghel's residence, their vehicle was allegedly attacked by individuals identified as Congress supporters. A stone was thrown, damaging the windshield, and the vehicle was briefly blocked. The ED is considering filing a police complaint regarding the incident. Baghel criticized the raids as a "political vendetta" by the BJP-led central government, alleging that the ED lacked proper documentation for the search and that he was prevented from attending the Chhattisgarh Assembly session. He remarked, "They didn’t let me go to Vidhan Sabha today. They stopped me from talking over the phone as well.
The ED's investigation alleges that Chaitanya Baghel was a recipient of proceeds from the liquor scam, which purportedly involved senior bureaucrats and politicians operating a parallel excise system to divert revenue from the state. The raids and subsequent events have heightened political tensions in Chhattisgarh, with the Congress party accusing the central government of misusing investigative agencies to target opposition leaders.
