Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s son Chaitanya was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate after raids at his family home in Bhillai, Durg.

The Friday apprehension coincided with the young Baghel’s birthday (July 18). It was fuelled by his links to the alleged to multi-crore liquor scam in the state amid the ongoing money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Visual of authorities capturing Chaitanya were also widely circulated on social media. He was seen wearing a yellow T-shirt as he was escorted out of a crowded location in a car.

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Chaitanya Baghel is believed to have been the “recipient” of the alleged liquor scam’s proceeds, which reportedly total up to more than Rs 2,100 crore. His father was on hand at the time of the ED raids. And so, he eventually took to his X profile to take a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Chaitanya Baghel arrested on his birthday

“The kind of birthday gift that Modi and Shah ji give, no one else in any democracy in the world can give. On My birthday, both highly respected leaders sent ED to the homes of my advisor and two OSDs,” he tweeted in Hindi.

“And now, on my son Chaitanya’s birthday, an ED team is raiding my house. Thank you for these gifts. They will be remembered for a lifetime,” he added sarcastically.

More about Chaitanya Baghel

In a previous brush with the law, Chaitanya was once brought in for about a four-hour-long interrogation in connection with an attack on a 57-year-old college professor. As per the police, the faculty member was allegedly assaulted by a group, leaving him severely injured.

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Despite his affiliation with the Congress Party like his father Bhupesh Baghel, he has reportedly stayed at a distance from politics. Having being tied to real estate business, he is said to have managed his family’s vegetable farm as well.

In the period between 2018-2023, Congress was aiming to officially kick off his political initiation. However, it fell through for unspecified reasons.

An Indian Express report cited a source saying, “Then last year, when Baghel was nominated to contest the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat, speculation was rife that Chaitanya would be fielded from the Patan Assemble seat (which his father represents) if his father won. But as Baghel lost, the plan was shelved.”