Bhilai, Chhattisgarh: Chaitanya Baghel, the son of senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to a liquor scam.
This marks the second ED raid on the Baghel family residence in Bhilai this year. The arrest has sparked political tension, with Bhupesh Baghel criticising the move as a “birthday gift” orchestrated by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for his son.
Ex-CM slams Centre over timing
Bhupesh Baghel claimed the raid was politically motivated and aimed at preventing him from speaking out against the large-scale felling of trees for a coal mining project by the Adani Group in Tamnar tehsil, located in the Raigarh district.
Speaking to ANI, Bhupesh Baghel said, “Congress is fighting against Adani. This strategy has been adopted to muzzle the Opposition. They are now targeting my son, so that no one can raise their voice against Adani. We will not get scared or bow down. Today, my son has been arrested on his birthday. Last year on my birthday, my advisor was targeted.”
#WATCH | On the arrest of his son by ED, Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel says, “Congress is fighting against Adani. This strategy has been adopted to muzzle the opposition. They are now targeting my son, so that no one can raise their voice against Adani. We… pic.twitter.com/WvHqh7zYl4
— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2025
Congress boycotts Chhattisgarh Assembly proceedings
In the wake of Chaitanya’s arrest, all the Congress MLAs, including Bhupesh Baghel, boycotted the Chhattisgarh Assembly proceedings this morning (Friday). Charan Das Mahant, Leader of Opposition in Chhattisgarh Assembly, said, “The ED is exerting pressure to harass the Baghel family and others. They have arrested Chaitanya. We strongly oppose this and are boycotting the proceedings.”
As the Congress MLAs walked out of the Assembly, they raised slogans, including: “Ek pedh Maa ke naam, baki sab Baap ke naam” (One tree in the mother’s name, the rest in the father’s name).
ED probe ongoing
Meanwhile, reports quoted official sources confirming that more searches were being carried out by the ED at Bhupesh Baghel’s residence as part of their ongoing probe into the alleged scam involving his son.
