Chhattisgarh liquor scam: EOW–ACB files eighth chargesheet, names ex-CM's son Chaitanya Baghel as “key syndicate handler”

RAIPUR Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB) on Monday filed a fresh chargesheet against Chaitanya, son of former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, in the multi-crore state liquor scam, describing him as a key figure in setting up and shielding an illegal collection “syndicate” inside the excise department.

The agency said that evidence has emerged that, in addition to managing the money “at the top level”, Chaitanya himself received about ₹200–250 crore as his share of the illegal proceeds.According to the EOW/ACB, the investigation has so far found that at the relevant time, Chaitanya Baghel played a central role in creating, coordinating and protecting the alleged collection network within the Excise Department.“On the basis of the investigation so far, it is clear that the crime could continue for such a long period only because the syndicate enjoyed high-level protection, policy and administrative intervention and influence through accused Chaitanya Baghel,” a statement issued by EOW/ ACB stated. The eighth chargesheet in the case was submitted before the Special Court (Prevention of Corruption Act) in Raipur. With this, a total of eight charge documents, including the original chargesheet, have now been placed on record in the case.

Officials said the latest chargesheet lays out the current status of the probe against all arrested accused, along with reports of digital evidence gathered so far. It also notes the present stage of investigation against other suspects still under scrutiny. The inquiry, the agency said, is continuing.

Alleged role of Chaitanya Baghel

The agency claims Baghel acted as a key link between senior bureaucrats — including then officials Anil Tuteja, Saumya Chaurasia, Arunpati Tripathi and Niranjan Das — and the “ground-level heads” of the syndicate such as Anwar Dhebar, Arvind Singh and Vikas Agrawal, aligning administrative decisions with the financial interests of the network. Investigators allege that Baghel oversaw the movement of the scam proceeds collected by Anwar Dhebar’s team, using trusted associates to route the money “to the highest levels” and manage it. The chargesheet states that Baghel received his share of the alleged illegal proceeds through various firms linked to Trilok Singh Dhillon, and then brought the money into his own family firms via banking channels. These funds were allegedly used in under-construction real estate projects. The EOW/ACB further claims that large sums from the scam were also transferred through banking channels to family friends and associates of Baghel and then invested or managed on his behalf.

Scam amount now pegged at over ₹3,074 crore

According to the updated calculations placed before the court, investigators now estimate the liquor scam to be worth around ₹3,074 crore. However, the agency has told the court that, based on ongoing scrutiny of “all sources”, the total value of illegal transactions may cross ₹3,500 crore as the probe progresses. The EOW/ACB said the investigation into the excise scam is continuing on multiple fronts, including financial trails, digital evidence and the roles of remaining suspects, and that further action will follow as new facts are established.