The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches across multiple locations in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, including the residence of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, officials said.
According to a report by news agency PTI, CBI teams arrived at Baghel’s residences in Raipur and Bhilai, as well as the home of a senior police officer and a close associate of the former chief minister.
Reacting to the searches, Baghel’s office released a statement noting that the CBI’s arrival coincided with his scheduled trip to Delhi for a meeting of the Drafting Committee for the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session.
“Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is set to travel to Delhi today for the Drafting Committee meeting ahead of the AICC session in Ahmedabad on April 8 and 9. Even before his departure, the CBI has reached his residences in Raipur and Bhilai,” the statement, issued in Hindi, read.
This development comes shortly after the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at Baghel’s residence in connection with an alleged liquor scam case.
The Congress party has formed a 15-member drafting committee, including Bhupesh Baghel, the party’s national general secretary, and Sachin Pilot, the general secretary in charge of Chhattisgarh. Randeep Surjewala has been appointed as the committee’s convenor.
This committee will be responsible for drafting key issues for the party’s national convention, outlining future strategies, including election preparations, and shaping the party’s stance on political, economic, and social matters. It will also work on strengthening the party’s manifesto and formulating responses to the shortcomings of the ruling party, backed by evidence. The Ahmedabad Convention is expected to witness the participation of over 3,000 leaders.
ED Raids Bhupesh Baghel’s Residence
On March 10, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a raid at Bhupesh Baghel’s residence in Bhilai as part of an investigation into a money laundering case involving his son in the alleged liquor scam. The agency also carried out searches at 13 other locations, including premises linked to Laxmi Narayan Bansal, also known as Pappu Bansal, who is reportedly a close associate of Chaitanya Baghel. These searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The raids lasted approximately eight hours, during which the ED seized Rs 30 lakh in cash along with several documents. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the agency has summoned Chaitanya Baghel for questioning.
Bhupesh Baghel, who was present at his residence during the raid, has accused the BJP of misusing central agencies out of frustration. In response to the ED’s actions, the Congress staged protests on March 11, burning effigies of the BJP-led central government and the ED.
According to the ED, the alleged liquor scam took place between 2019 and 2022 when the Congress was in power in Chhattisgarh under Baghel’s leadership. The agency claims the scam led to a significant financial loss to the state, with over Rs 2,100 crore in illicit proceeds benefiting a liquor syndicate.
With inputs from agencies