Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday dismissed the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raid at his residence as a retaliatory move by the BJP. Baghel, in a statement, alleged that the raid was motivated by the BJP’s frustration and claimed that the ED found only Rs 32-33 lakh in cash, which he attributed to his family’s farming activities across 140 acres of land.
“The amount is not significant as I live with my wife, three daughters, son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. We also have various sources of income, including farming,” Baghel said, adding that the details of the funds would be provided to the authorities. He further clarified that the ED did not find any evidence of wrongdoing, except for documents related to cases involving BJP leaders.
The raid is part of an ongoing money laundering investigation concerning his son, Chaitanya Baghel, who is suspected of being involved in a liquor scam. The ED also searched the premises of Laxmi Narayan Bansal, an alleged associate of Chaitanya. Sources say that the raid was triggered due to Chaitanya Baghel’s suspected role in receiving proceeds from the liquor scam, as he shares the Bhilai residence with his father.
Baghel, speaking to reporters after the ED personnel left his home, alleged that the raid was aimed at discouraging him following his appointment as Congress’s in-charge for Punjab. “This is nothing but frustration on the part of the BJP. It shows they will go to any extent to target me,” he said.
The former Chief Minister pointed out that this raid was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern. He referenced the case of Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma, who had been jailed following an ED raid just days after asking a question in the state assembly. “It seems that asking questions in the assembly has become a crime,” Baghel added.
The investigation into the liquor scam has been ongoing for three years, but Baghel noted that the ED has not submitted a final report or framed any charges. He also claimed that the timing of the raid—just days after his questioning of the Deputy Chief Minister about a housing scheme for the poor—was no coincidence.
Baghel further alleged that the BJP’s frustration stems from his recent exoneration in a seven-year-old CD case, after a special CBI court in Raipur discharged him of all charges. “The BJP is frustrated because of these two reasons,” he said.
(With PTI Inputs)