LAUNCHING a massive crackdown under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday stormed the residence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, his son Chaitanya Baghel alias Bittu, and their close aides — conducting search and seizure operations in connection with the massive Rs 2,161 crore liquor scam.

 

The large-scale action that unfolded from early morning sent political tremors across the State, as ED teams spread across 14 key locations linked to the Baghel family’s alleged financial network. According to credible sources, the ED’s prime focus of the daylong operation was Bhupesh Baghel’s Bhilai-3 situated residence in Mansarovar Colony, where a convoy of ED vehicles escorted by heavily armed Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel arrived at 7.00 AM. Without any delay, officials launched a sweeping financial search, scanning property records, financial ledgers, cash logs, and digital evidence suspected to be linked to the proceeds of crime.

 

The operation rapidly gained momentum after note counting machines were brought in by the ED to tally large cash volumes — causing panic and hostility among Baghel’s supporters, who gathered outside the premises and fiercely confronted security forces. Heated arguments erupted between Congress workers and CRPF jawans, escalating tensions in the area. The ED’s crackdown, however, was not limited to Baghel’s residence alone. Simultaneous search and seizure operations were also launched targeting key financial handlers and business conduits suspected of laundering scam proceeds for the Baghel family. Among them was Laxmi Narayan Bansal alias Pappu Bansal, a well-known business associate of Chaitanya Baghel, whose Bhilai residence was thoroughly searched by ED officials. According to inside sources, Bansal is believed to have played a critical role in channelizing illicit funds through benami transactions, property investments, and unaccounted cash transfers.

 

Multiple incriminating financial documents were seized from his premises, tightening the agency’s grip around the Baghel circle. Further tightening the noose, the ED also swooped down on Rajendra Sahu, Congress’ Durg Lok Sabha candidate and a known financial handler of Baghel’s network. At around 7.30 AM, two ED vehicles accompanied by armed CRPF personnel, including female officers, reached Sahu’s residence in Dwarikapuri, Potia area of Durg. The officials reportedly seized suspect property papers, financial files, and evidence of large-scale cash movement, which are now being investigated to establish their link to the liquor scam’s proceeds of crime. Sahu, a long-time political confidant of Bhupesh Baghel, is now under the ED radar as suspicions mount over his financial dealings with Chaitanya Baghel’s associates.

 

A similar massive search operation was launched at the residence of Mukesh Chandrakar, Durg District Congress Committee President, whose house in Steel Colony, Durg was thoroughly combed by ED officials. Chandrakar is suspected of having facilitated major cash movements on behalf of the Baghel circle during the scam period. Transporter Sandeep Singh from Charoda, Bhilai, also came under ED radar, as his alleged involvement in cash logistics and hawala operations during the Baghel regime came to light.