Chaitanya Baghel: Alleged Kingpin of Chhattisgarh's Rs 2,500 Crore Liquor Scam

Chaitanya Baghel, son of ex-Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has been named as a key figure in a vast Rs 2,500 crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh, according to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED's prosecution complaint alleges Chaitanya led the syndicate orchestrating the scam and personally managed Rs 1,000 crore of its proceeds.

The ED claims Chaitanya was instrumental in concealing, acquiring, and utilizing the crime's proceeds, working in conspiracy with other syndicate members. An organized liquor syndicate was reportedly established following the Congress government's rise in Chhattisgarh in 2019, leading to a massive financial damage to the state exchequer.

The prosecution highlights that Chaitanya Baghel was at the apex of the syndicate, significantly influencing its operations. He allegedly directed major financial decisions and has been accused of layering illicit funds into real estate projects. The investigation has uncovered crucial digital evidence implicating him in active coordination for fund transfers, while several officials and business figures face similar allegations.