The Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Raipur on Saturday sent former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s son, Chaitanya Baghel, to 14 days of judicial custody. He will now remain in jail till September 6. Chaitanya was produced before the court after completing his five-day Enforcement Directorate Raipur Zonal Office (ED-RPZO) custody, which was granted on August 19.

 

The agency presented him back in court at the end of custodial interrogation. Accepting the submission, the court ordered that Chaitanya be lodged in judicial custody and fixed the next hearing for September 6. Chaitanya Baghel was arrested on July 18 following searches at his residence in Bhilai in connection with the alleged multi-crore liquor scam. Since then, he has alternated between ED custody and judicial custody, with each production in the Raipur PMLA court drawing political attention and protests by Congress workers. ED-RPZO counsel Saurabh Pandey told reporters that Chaitanya’s ED custody had concluded today.

 

“He has now been remanded to 14 days judicial custody,” Pandey confirmed. Replying to questions on parallel cases, Pandey added that in the Mahadev betting app probe, accused Saurabh Chandrakar has moved an application before the court seeking cancellation of the non-bailable warrant issued against him. The plea will be considered separately. Officials indicated that depending on the progress of investigations, the ED may approach the court again for custodial remand if further interrogation of Chaitanya becomes necessary. For now, he will remain in Raipur Central Jail till September 6.