Chhattisgarh High Court Dismisses Chaitanya Baghel’s Petition in Liquor Scam Case

Raipur | Correspondent: The Chhattisgarh High Court has dismissed the petition filed by Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, challenging the action initiated by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in the state’s high-profile liquor scam and related money laundering case.

Chaitanya Baghel, who was named as an accused by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was arrested on July 18 from Bhilai. According to the ED, Baghel allegedly received Rs 16.70 crore from proceeds linked to the scam.

The ED claims that black money generated through the liquor syndicate was funneled into real estate projects under the guise of bogus investments in order to launder the illicit funds. The agency further alleges that the syndicate manipulated and handled around Rs1,000 crore through illegal channels.

During the hearing held on Monday, the High Court, while dismissing the petition, granted Chaitanya Baghel the liberty to file a fresh plea, but only concerning matters specifically related to him. The court, led by Chief Justice Ramesh Kumar Sinha’s division bench, emphasized that only personal legal issues would be entertained in future petitions.

In his plea, Baghel had challenged the EOW’s FIR and termed his arrest unlawful, alleging procedural lapses in the investigation and detention process. Arguing on behalf of the state, senior Supreme Court advocate Mahesh Jethmalani appeared via video conferencing. Representing Baghel were senior advocates N. Hariharan and Harshvardhan Pargania.

After the dismissal of a similar petition by the Supreme Court, Chaitanya Baghel had moved the High Court to contest the legality of his arrest.

Baghel, who has been in custody for 39 days, was produced before a special court in Raipur on August 23, following the conclusion of his custodial remand. The court extended his judicial custody by another 14 days, meaning he will remain in Raipur Central Jail until September 6.

Earlier, during a five-day custodial interrogation, the ED questioned Chaitanya Baghel extensively on new leads in the liquor scam and associated money laundering activities.