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Chaitanya, who was arrested by the Enforcement Diectorate (ED) in July, has been accused of acting as a bridge between officials and the alleged syndicate.

ChargesheetBhupesh Baghel’s son Chaitanya. (Source: File)

The Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and Anti-Corruption Bureau Monday alleged that former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel’s son Chaitanya personally benefited by Rs 200–250 crore in the alleged liquor scam between 2019 and 2022, when his father was at the helm of the state.

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In its supplementary chargesheet filed Monday, the EOW, one of three agencies investigating the case, claimed that a “syndicate” of senior state bureaucrats, politicians and excise department officials ran a “parallel” department, selling illegal liquor and causing a loss of Rs 3,074 crore to the state exchequer. Chaitanya, who was arrested in the alleged liquor scam in July, has been accused of acting as a bridge between officials and the alleged liquor syndicate, including Anwar Dhebar, brother of Raipur mayor Aijaz Dhebar of the Congress and an accused in the case.

short article insert According to investigators, Chaitanya allegedly helped transfer scam proceeds collected by Anwar Dhebar’s team to higher levels and, in return, received his share through firms belonging to another suspect, Trilok Singh Dhillon. The money was then allegedly funnelled into family-owned firms and real estate projects.

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“The scale of the scam evidence indicates that besides managing funds at a high level, Chaitanya personally received approximately 200- 250 crore rupees,” states a press release issued by the agency.

According to an EOW official, the valuation of the liquor “scam” currently stands at 3,074 crore rupees.

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“However, further investigation into all sources suggests this illegal amount is likely to exceed 3,500 crore rupees,” the official added.

The case pertains to allegations that a criminal syndicate, in connivance with excise officials, bootlegged alcohol to government liquor shops and extorted illegal commissions from sales. Chaitanya was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate, which is also probing the allegations, on July 18.

When contacted, Chaitanya’s lawyer Faisal Rizvi told The Indian Express that the EOW “has no evidence”.

“They are making a case based on statements of absconding accused in the case,” he said.

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More

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