The proceedings in the multi-crore liquor scam took a sharp turn on Wednesday when the State Economic Offences Investigation and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB) secured custody of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, till October 6. The order came after Chaitanya was produced before the special SEOIACB court in Raipur on a production warrant. Alongside Chaitanya, co-accused Dipen Chawda was also arrested and presented before the court. Both arrests were made in connection with Crime No. 04/2024, registered under Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 as amended in 2018, and Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). According to submissions made in court, SEOIACB had moved a plea seeking custody for interrogation in connection with the scam. After hearing the matter, First Additional and Sessions Judge Neeraj Sharma granted custody of both accused until October 6. Faizal Rizvi, counsel for Chaitanya Baghel, confirmed that the court has allowed SEOIACB custody till October 6.

 

“The agency has taken Chaitanya on remand following their application. At the same time, the High Court has rejected his bail plea,” Rizvi informed. Rizvi further said that the agency, on behalf of the government, has apprised the High Court that the probe into the liquor scam would be completed within three months. “This submission was placed before the bench while opposing the bail petition,” he added. Earlier in the day, Chaitanya, who has been lodged in Raipur Central Jail after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was brought to the special court on the strength of a production warrant. Upon his appearance, SEOIACB formally arrested him in the liquor scam case and sought remand for custodial interrogation.

 

Court records show that this was not the first attempt by SEOIACB to secure custody. On an earlier occasion, the agency could not proceed after a High Court directive required the lower court to prioritise hearing Chaitanya’s bail application. With that interim relief no longer available, the agency was able to act on its warrant this time. Legal observers noted that Chaitanya now faces a dual probe-by both ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and by SEOIACB under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code.

 

The overlapping investigations stem from allegations of irregularities in excise contracts, tendering processes, and unaccounted cash flows routed through benami transactions. “Custodial interrogation is necessary to clarify financial transactions and identify the role of senior officials and business figures linked with the scam. Fresh evidence points towards collusion between bureaucrats and private stakeholders, making Chaitanya’s questioning vital to the ongoing probe,” SEOIACB officials probing the liquor scam stated.