Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: Chaitanya Baghel Accused of Using Rs 16.7 Crore in Real Estate Project

Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has been accused by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of handling over Rs 1,000 crore in proceeds from a massive liquor scam and channeling Rs 16.7 crore into his personal real estate venture.

The ED arrested Chaitanya on July 18—his 38th birthday—during a raid at his Bhilai residence, which he shares with his father. He was subsequently remanded to ED custody for five days by a Raipur court and is expected to be produced again on Tuesday.

In a detailed statement, the ED alleged that Chaitanya used his real estate companies to launder scam money, with payments made in cash to contractors and fake entries made through banks. A portion of the funds—Rs 5 crore—was allegedly routed through a local businessman, Trilok Singh Dhillon, in the guise of flat purchases in Chaitanya’s "Vitthalpuram Project."

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The agency claims there is clear banking evidence linking Dhillon to the liquor syndicate and that Chaitanya coordinated with key figures, including Anwar Dhebar, to transfer illicit funds to the then Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee treasurer.

Investigators allege the liquor scam, active between 2019 and 2022 under the Congress-led state government, resulted in over Rs 2,100 crore in illegal profits, severely impacting the state’s exchequer. According to the ED, these funds were funneled to political associates and used for investments still under scrutiny.

Bhupesh Baghel has dismissed the probe as a politically motivated move aimed at targeting opposition leaders, but said he will cooperate with the judiciary.

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