New Delhi: Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials were reportedly attacked after conducting raids at the residence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The raids were part of an investigation into alleged money laundering linked to his son, Chaitanya Baghel, in connection with a multi-crore liquor scam.
According to reports, a group of individuals, believed to be Congress workers, surrounded the ED officers’ vehicle as they were leaving Baghel’s residence. The car of a deputy director-level officer was also reportedly attacked. Visuals from the scene show a large group of people surrounding and physically assaulting the officials.
Earlier in the day, the ED conducted raids at multiple locations associated with the Baghel family, including 14 properties. The raids were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of an ongoing probe into a liquor scam, which allegedly resulted in a loss of Rs. 2,161 crore to the state exchequer due to the illegal sale of country liquor from state-run shops.
Bhupesh Baghel’s office responded to the raids, claiming the case had been dismissed in court previously and accusing the ED of attempting to target the Congress party. A post shared on social media from his office stated, “If someone is trying to stop Congress in Punjab through this conspiracy, then it is a misunderstanding.”
The investigation continues, with the ED alleging that the money was siphoned off by syndicates involved in the scam.
