Chhattisgarh Liquor ‘Scam’: ED demands 14-day judicial custody of Chaitanya Baghel

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday (July 22) has demanded a 14-day judicial custody of Chaitanya Baghel for his alleged role in the liquor ‘scam’ case in Chhattisgarh.

Son of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, Chaitanya was in ED custody for the last five days.

Chaitanya’s counsel has objected to the move, stating that the central agency has presented a false and biased case.
“His 5-day custodial remand ended today. ED has demanded 14-day judicial custody, we have raised an objection to it… We have said that ED has suppressed documents and has presented false things in their application,” Advocate Faizal Rizvi told reporters, as per news agency ANI. 

“We have said that ED has made the arrest without letting us (Chaitanya Baghel) speak. This shows that ED’s action is biased and one-sided…” he added. 

#WATCH | Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Advocate Faizal Rizvi, appearing for Chaitanya Baghel, says, “His 5-day custodial remand ended today. ED has demanded 14-day judicial custody, we have raised an objection to it…We have said that ED has suppressed documents and has presented false… pic.twitter.com/xdwZbLIIqu

— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2025

The ED arrested Chaitanya on Friday (July 18) from his residence, which he shares with his father. A special court in Raipur had sent him to five days in ED custody.

The central agency has accused him of handling more than ₹1,000 crore worth of “proceeds of crime” generated from the liquor scam, as per news agency PTI.  It alleged that he used about ₹16.7 crore for his real estate business. The probe is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab Congress Chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring arrived at the Raipur special court where Chaitanya was brought by the ED at the end of the five-day custody. 

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: ED officials, along with former CM Bhupesh Baghel’s son Chaitanya Baghel, arrive at the end of his custody in connection with a liquor case.

ED says that investigation revealed that Chaitanya Baghel, who was arrested on July 18 in state liquor scam case… pic.twitter.com/TSCje6xfNF

— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2025

Congress workers held protests and an economic blockade on July 22 over Chaitanya’s arrest. 

#WATCH | Raipur | Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and Congress workers hold protest and economic blockade over the arrest of Congress leader and the former Chhattisgarh CM’s son Chaitanya Baghel pic.twitter.com/tqCQKgYUPp

— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2025

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