Lagatar24 Desk
Raipur: The probe into Chhattisgarh’s high-profile liquor scam intensified on Friday as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out fresh raids at the premises of former Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya Baghel in Raipur. The searches were confirmed by Baghel himself through a post on social media.
Bhupesh Baghel calls it a political conspiracy
Calling the raids a deliberate political move, Baghel accused the central government of trying to divert attention from critical environmental issues. “ED has arrived. Today is the last day of the Assembly session. We were going to raise the issue of trees being cut in Tamnar for Adani. Sahab has sent ED to my Bhilai residence,” Baghel posted on X (formerly Twitter). He further claimed that the ED was being used to deflect focus from serious ecological concerns.
What is the Chhattisgarh liquor scam?
According to ED investigations, a well-organized liquor syndicate operated in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022, allegedly defrauding the state exchequer of over ₹2,161 crore. The amount is being treated as “proceeds of crime.” The ED claims that then Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma received regular cash payments from the scam’s illicit earnings. Influential individuals like Anwar Dhebar and Anil Tuteja are also named as key players in the alleged racket.
How the scam was carried out
The syndicate reportedly extorted bribes from liquor manufacturers (distillers) in exchange for favorable treatment and guaranteed market shares. Large volumes of country liquor were sold through state-run shops without official records, bypassing revenue channels. Foreign liquor licenses (FL-10A) were allegedly issued in return for hefty kickbacks. The scam reportedly gave rise to a deeply entrenched liquor mafia in the state.
ED’s ongoing action
So far, the ED has attached properties worth around ₹205 crore and continues to investigate the matter. Officials suggest more prominent political names may surface as the investigation progresses.
