Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel refuted claims on Saturday that his son, Chaitanya, was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering probe linked to an alleged liquor scam. Speaking to reporters outside his Bhilai residence, the Congress leader said no notice had been issued. “The question of going to the ED office did not arise if he (Chaitanya) hadn't received a notice,” he stated, adding, “When summons are served, they will be complied with.”

Baghel accused the ED of orchestrating publicity to defame him, alleging a BJP-led conspiracy. “It is ED's work to create a media hype... the agency is being used to defame people. So far, they have been doing the same. There was a CD case against me for seven years. Recently, the court discharged me of all charges. This is a BJP conspiracy to defame a politician,” he said. His remarks followed a March 10 ED raid on his Bhilai home and 13 other locations, including that of Chaitanya’s alleged associate, Laxmi Narayan Bansal, yielding Rs 30 lakh in cash and documents.

The probe targets a 2019-2022 liquor scam under Baghel’s tenure, which the ED claims generated over Rs 2,100 crore for a syndicate. Despite media speculation of a Saturday summons, no activity unfolded at Baghel’s home or the ED’s Raipur office. Baghel labeled the raids BJP frustration, a view echoed by Congress protests on March 11.