Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam Reaches Former CM Bhupesh Baghel, ED Raids Bhilai Residence

National News: The multi-crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh has now reached the doorstep of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. In a dramatic development early Friday morning, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided his private residence in Bhilai. Baghel himself confirmed the raid via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

₹3200 Crore Scam Under Probe

What started as a ₹2100 crore excise scam in the state has now reportedly ballooned to ₹3200 crore, according to ongoing investigations. The ED and other agencies have been aggressively probing the matter, which involves allegations of widespread corruption in the state's liquor distribution network during Baghel’s tenure as CM.

Businessman Close to Baghel Already Under Scanner

Earlier this week, on Tuesday, the ED had conducted raids at several properties linked to hotelier Vijay Agrawal, also based in Bhilai. His hotels, residences, and other premises in Goa and Delhi were searched. During these raids, the agency reportedly seized ₹70 lakh in cash. Agrawal is considered to be a close associate of Bhupesh Baghel, which has added a political dimension to the case.

ED’s Sudden Move on Final Day of Assembly

Reacting to the raid, Bhupesh Baghel posted, X: “ED has arrived. Today marks the final day of the Assembly session. I was supposed to raise the issue of trees being felled in Tamnar for the Adani project. ‘Saheb’ has now sent the ED to my residence in Bhilai.”

The post appears to be a veiled attack on the central government, implying that the ED action was politically motivated to prevent him from raising sensitive environmental issues in the state assembly.

ED आ गई.

आज विधानसभा सत्र का अंतिम दिन है.

अडानी के लिए तमनार में काटे जा रहे पेड़ों का मुद्दा आज उठना था.

भिलाई निवास में “साहेब” ने ED भेज दी है.

(कार्यालय- भूपेश बघेल)

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) July 18, 2025

Assembly Session and Political Storm

Today is the fifth and final day of the monsoon session of the Chhattisgarh Assembly. Baghel alleged that the ED's timing was not coincidental but a deliberate move to divert attention from the tree-cutting issue in Tamnar, linked to a controversial project reportedly involving the Adani Group.

Political Fallout Expected

With the ED tightening its grip on one of Chhattisgarh’s biggest financial scams and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel now under direct scrutiny, the case is set to escalate into a full-blown political storm. The coming days are likely to see intense debate, counter-allegations, and mounting pressure on both the state and central governments.