The Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offence Wing (ACB/EOW) has filed a chargesheet alleging that Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, received a substantial share, estimated between Rs 200 crore and Rs 250 crore, from the state's alleged liquor scam. The chargesheet, filed on Monday, December 22, 2025, before a special court in Raipur, is the eighth in the case, including the original and supplementary ones.
The ACB/EOW alleges that Chaitanya Baghel played a crucial role in establishing, coordinating, and protecting an extortion syndicate within the excise department during the previous Congress government, which was in office from 2018 to 2023. The agency claims he was a key figure in managing and protecting the syndicate. According to investigators, Chaitanya Baghel acted as a bridge between officials and the liquor syndicate. He is accused of directing illicit fund flows, transferring scam proceeds collected by Anwar Dhebar's team to higher levels through trusted associates.
The chargesheet states that Chaitanya Baghel received his share of the illegal proceeds through various firms linked to Trilok Singh Dhillon, a liquor businessman. The money was then allegedly transferred through banking channels to his family firms and used in under-construction real estate projects. The ACB/EOW 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.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is also probing the money laundering aspect of the case, had earlier stated that Chaitanya Baghel personally handled around ₹1,000 crore generated from the alleged scam. The ED arrested Chaitanya Baghel on July 18 after conducting searches at his residence. The agency had also attached assets worth ₹61.2 crore belonging to Baghel's son.
The ACB/EOW estimates the total amount of the excise scam to be approximately ₹3,074 crore. However, further investigation suggests that this illegal amount could exceed ₹3,500 crore. 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.
According to the EOW/ACB, the investigation has so far found that Chaitanya Baghel played a central role in creating, coordinating, and protecting the alleged collection network within the Excise Department. The agency stated 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 Chaitanya Baghel.
Chaitanya's lawyer, Faisal Rizvi, told The Indian Express that the EOW "has no evidence" and is making a case based on statements of absconding accused in the case. 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.
