Fri Jul 18 18:32:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has accused Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, of possessing and handling proceeds from a liquor scam amounting to over ₹1,000 crore. The ED claims Chaitanya Baghel received ₹16.70 crore directly from the scam and coordinated the movement of other funds. The accusations are based on statements from another accused in the case. Chaitanya Baghel’s lawyers deny the allegations, stating he has legitimate income from agriculture that justifies his assets and expenditures.
**News Article:**
**Baghel’s Son Implicated in Massive Liquor Scam, ED Claims**
**Raipur, July 19, 2025** – Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, was produced in court yesterday, facing allegations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of involvement in a massive liquor scam. The ED alleges that companies linked to Mr. Baghel possessed proceeds of crime and actively concealed, transferred, and utilized these funds, projecting them as legitimate.
According to the ED, Mr. Baghel is accused of receiving ₹16.70 crore directly from the scam and playing a key role in managing over ₹1,000 crore originating from it. The agency’s accusations are based on purported disclosures by Laxmi Narayan Bansal, another accused in the case. Mr. Bansal allegedly stated he handled the illicit funds in association with Mr. Baghel, delivering portions to various individuals on Mr. Baghel’s instructions.
The ED claims Mr. Bansal collected proceeds of crime from Anwar Dhebar via Dipen Chawda and thereafter he had delivered the said funds to Shri Ram Gopal Agarwal in coordination with Chaitanya Baghel. Also, he delivered around ₹80-100 crore cash (out of the above said funds received from Dipen Chawda) to “Shri K.K. Srivastava” on Chaitanya Baghel instructions.
Defense attorneys Faisal Rizvi and Harshwardhan Parganiha vehemently denied all charges. They argued that Mr. Baghel’s income is primarily derived from a substantial agricultural business, with income tax returns reflecting earnings proportionate to his assets and spending. The legal team intends to demonstrate that his financial activities are entirely legitimate and unrelated to any illegal activity. The case is ongoing.
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