Chhattisgarh: Politics trade barbs as ED deploys cash counting machines at Baghel's Residence

Chhattisgarh: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a big step amid allegations of huge amount of cash found at the residence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. ED officials have brought two cash counting machines to count it. The ED has also seized some electronic gadgets and documents from a premises linked to Bhupesh Baghel's son Chaitanya Baghel. The matter is related to the liquor scam.

Action has also been taken at his hideouts after getting evidence related to Baghel's son Chaitanya.

According to sources, Chaitanya Baghel may be called for questioning soon. It is likely that the first round of questioning may start today itself. The ED raid and action have been taken on the basis of evidence received against Chaitanya Baghel, which includes his name as one of the key players in the Rs 2100 crore liquor scam.

2,161 crore scam between 2019 and 2022

To speed up the investigation into the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam, the ED today raided 14 other places in the state including Chaitanya Baghel's hideouts. This action is related to a scam of about 2,161 crores in the state between 2019 and 2022.

The ED started raiding Bhupesh Baghel's son Chaitanya Baghel from this morning itself. During this, a large number of security forces have also been deployed in the area. His supporters are also protesting. Sloganeering of supporters is also going on at the spot.

ED had filed a complaint in 2023

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed a complaint in this liquor scam case in July 2023, which included the names of prominent people like Anwar Dhebar, brother of Raipur Mayor Ejaz Dhebar, former IAS officer Anil Tuteja and Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL) Managing Director Arunpati Tripathi.

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The agency alleged that these people played a key role in carrying out the scam, which included manipulating procurement processes and taking commission from select liquor manufacturers. ED investigations revealed that the state exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 2,161 crore due to the alleged corruption.

ED alleged that these people played a key role in carrying out scam

At different times during the investigation, the agency has also attached properties worth about Rs 205.49 crore belonging to various accused, including businessmen and former bureaucrats.

These properties include both movable and immovable properties

Raids were conducted at 14 places

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has raided the house of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and AICC General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel and son Chaitanya. This action is being taken regarding the liquor scam.

The team reached his house in Bhilai-3 Padumnagar today (Monday) morning in four vehicles. During the action, machines for counting notes and checking gold have also been called

ED reached his house in Bhilai-3 Padumnagar today

Meanwhile, some people pelted stones on the ED car outside. The security personnel were also seen running away. While raising slogans against ED, the workers were also seen stopping the car of the officials.

Meanwhile, they clashed with the police. Tomorrow, Congress will burn effigies of BJP and ED in protest against ED action across the state.

Now understand what Chhattisgarh's liquor scam is

ED is investigating the Chhattisgarh liquor scam case. ED has registered an FIR in ACB. In the registered FIR, a scam of more than 2 thousand crores has been mentioned.

ED found in its investigation that during the tenure of the then Bhupesh government, the scam was carried out through the syndicate of IAS officer Anil Tuteja, MD of Excise Department AP Tripathi and businessman Anwar Dhebar.

Scam was done by dividing it into A, B and C categories

A: Commission from distillery operators

In 2019, a commission of Rs 75 per box was taken from distillery operators and in subsequent years Rs 100 was taken. To ensure that distillery operators do not suffer losses in giving commission, the prices of liquor were increased in the new tender. Also, relief was given for overbilling for purchasing goods in the firm.

B: Selling liquor with fake holograms from government shops

More liquor was made than the distillery owner. It was sold from government shops by using fake holograms. Hologram supplier Vidhu Gupta was also contacted through AP Tripathi to make it easy to get fake holograms. Empty liquor bottles were needed along with holograms.

The responsibility of delivering empty bottles to the distillery was given to Arvind Singh and his nephew Amit Singh.

15 districts of the state were selected for selling liquor. Shop operators were advised not to record the consumption of liquor in government papers. Liquor with duplicate holograms was delivered to shops without paying any duty.

Its MRP was initially kept at Rs 2880 per box by the syndicate members. When their consumption started, the syndicate members increased its price to Rs 3840.

C: Illegal collection of money by increasing/decreasing the supply area of ​​distilleries

The syndicate divided the supply area of ​​distilleries into 8 zones to sell country liquor from CSMCL shops. Each distillery's zone was determined in these 8 zones. In 2019, the syndicate started determining new supply zones in tenders on the basis of commission every year.

During the investigation, EOW officials have found evidence that in three financial years, distilleries have given Rs 52 crore to the syndicate as Part C for the supply of country liquor.

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