Liquor rip-off: ED arrests ex-Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel’s son; action follows raid at Bhilai residence | India News

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday arrested former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel‘s son Chaitanya Baghel in reference to the alleged multi-crore liquor rip-off within the state.This comes hours after the central company carried out search at the premises of senior Congress chief at his Bhilai residence.Following the raids, Bhupesh Baghel’s workplace posted on X,”ED has arrived. Today is the last day of the Assembly session. The issue of trees being cut in Tamnar for Adani was supposed to be raised today. “Saheb” has sent the ED to the Bhilai residence.”The probing company has alleged {that a} cartel comprising authorities officers, politicians, and liquor businessmen operated a scheme that illegally collected round Rs 2,161 crore from liquor gross sales in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022.The alleged rip-off concerned manipulation of the liquor provide chain, with the cartel controlling the sale and distribution of alcohol by way of government-run retailers.A portion of the liquor bought was not recorded in official accounts, and bribes have been allegedly collected from suppliers to allow its sale outdoors the authorized system.The investigation relies on an earlier Income Tax Department report, which flagged irregularities within the state’s liquor commerce.Previously, the ED had arrested a number of key accused, together with IAS officer Anil Tuteja and liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, the brother of Raipur’s mayor.The company has additionally carried out a number of raids on politicians and bureaucrats related to the previous Congress-led authorities in Chhattisgarh.(This is a growing story)