The Special PMLA Court in Raipur on Tuesday remanded Chaitanya Baghel alias Bittu, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, to 14-day judicial custody till August 4, 2025, in connection with the Rs 3,200 crore Chhattisgarh liquor scam investigation. Baghel was produced before the court following the completion of his five-day Enforcement Directorate Raipur Zonal Office (ED-RPZO) custodial remand. According to federal agency officials involved in the case, the ED-RPZO did not seek further custody of Baghel at this stage, citing key confessional statements and disclosures made during his initial interrogation.

 

The agency informed the court that Baghel’s statements require corroboration and material verification before additional custodial steps are initiated. However, ED officials confirmed that the agency reserves the right to apply for further custodial interrogation under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The new BNSS provisions permit phased re-custody for confrontation or recovery based on new material evidence or evolving leads during the investigation. Sources privy to the legal proceedings said Chaitanya Baghel, son of ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel, named specific individuals and disclosed fund flow details during his five-day custodial interrogation. The ED is now preparing follow-up actions including further arrests and search operations, triggered by these revelations. Baghel was arrested on July 18, 2025, under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

 

He is accused of laundering Rs 16.70 crore from scam proceeds through real estate investments and benami transactions, including using the Vitthalpuram Project and shell companies operated by Trilok Singh Dhillon, where Rs 5 crore was allegedly routed under the guise of flat purchases. Earlier, the ED revealed that Baghel allegedly handled over Rs 1,000 crore of scam proceeds, coordinating with liquor syndicate operators including Anwar Dhebar, and transferring funds to political intermediaries and family-linked entities. The ED’s current probe phase focuses on end-use identification and final political beneficiaries of the laundered funds. Officials stated that the ED will present its next set of findings before the court once corroboration of Baghel’s statements is complete and fresh evidence leads to additional legal action. Re-custody under BNSS remains an active legal option, depending on the progress of ongoing searches and arrests.