Supreme Court Opens Gateway for Baghels to Challenge Probe in High Court

In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court on Monday authorized former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son, Chaitanya Baghel, to move the High Court. This move allows them to dispute ongoing investigations relating to several scams, notably the alleged Rs 2,161-crore liquor scam. The Enforcement Directorate apprehended Chaitanya on July 18, 2025, as part of the inquiry under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Justice Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi's bench also permitted Chaitanya to pursue interim bail, recognizing the importance of legal recourse amid multiple FIRs linking his father to scams like the Mahadev App, rice milling, District Mineral Foundation (DMF), and coal. Additional allegations connect Bhupesh with the contentious Uttar Pradesh liquor scam.

Bhupesh Baghel's petition outlines concerns of incomplete charge sheets by the Enforcement Directorate and CBI, alleging that these delay mechanisms deny him default bail. He challenges Sections 50 and 63 of PMLA as unconstitutional for violating the right against self-incrimination. The apex court will revisit these constitutional matters on August 6. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi championed Baghel's cause, opposing ASG SV Raju for the central agencies.

(With inputs from agencies.)