Chhattisgarh HC defers hearing on Chaitanya Baghel's plea, ED to file reply in two weeks
A single bench of Justice Arvind Kumar Verma granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) two weeks to file its reply, postponing the next hearing accordingly.
Chaitanya Baghel, who was arrested by the ED on July 18 from his residence in Bhilai, has been in judicial custody for the past 24 days. His arrest followed fresh raids and the recovery of financial documents allegedly linked to illicit transactions.
The ED claims Baghel played a key role in laundering over Rs 1,000 crore of 'proceeds of crime' generated through the liquor syndicate, and that Rs 16.7 crore was funnelled into real estate projects to disguise the origin of the funds.
In his petition before the High Court, Chaitanya has challenged the legality of his arrest, terming it 'unconstitutional' and alleging procedural violations by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Supreme Court had earlier dismissed his plea for relief and directed him to approach the High Court for a remedy.
The liquor scam, which allegedly operated between 2019 and 2022 during the Congress-led government, is estimated to have caused losses exceeding Rs 2,100 crore to the state exchequer.
The ED has accused a network of bureaucrats, politicians, and businessmen of orchestrating the scam, with instructions allegedly coming from the 'highest political executives' of the state.
Several high-profile arrests have already been made, including former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma, a businessman, an ex-IAS officer and an ITS officer.
The FIR filed by the Economic Offences Wing in January 2024 named over 70 individuals and entities.
Bhupesh Baghel has publicly condemned the ED's actions, alleging political vendetta and misuse of Central agencies to target Opposition leaders.
He has, however, affirmed his faith in the judiciary and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
The next hearing in the High Court is expected to take place in the last week of August. Bhupesh Baghel and Chaitanya Baghel are accused in the alleged liquor scam of Chhattisgarh.
The ED has considered Chaitanya Baghel as the mastermind of this scam.
The alleged illegal syndicate operated through the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL), taking bribes from liquor distillers and awarding them market share in return. Off-the-books sales of country liquor through government shops, manipulation of FL-10A licenses for foreign liquor trade, and cartel-like market practices were allegedly used to launder massive proceeds of crime.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
4 minutes ago
- Economic Times
When will voters blame Trump for this economy?
Donald Trump's economic policies face scrutiny as Americans grapple with financial challenges. Polls reveal concerns about inflation and the impact of Trump's economic agenda. Blue-collar voters express worries over tariffs. Republicans risk political setbacks in upcoming elections. The party's future hinges on voter sentiment and the strength of the Democratic alternative. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads President Donald Trump has claimed responsibility for the economy virtually every day since his inauguration. Late last week, the White House declared it a smashing success in a press release called '200 Days of Winning: President Trump is Keeping His Promises.' Yet many Americans are still struggling to get by amid mediocre economic growth and difficulty affording necessities, from groceries to prompts a key political question: When will voters hold Trump — now back on the job for more than six months — responsible for their financial plight? The answer could decide the battle for Congress in the 2026 midterm elections and determine the fight to succeed Trump in the White House in an early August YouGov poll for The Economist, voters' No. 1 issue was 'inflation/prices,' which at 21% beat the next most important concern, 'jobs/economy' by 7 percentage points. Trump's job approval rating in this survey was cratering at 41%. The president's handling of the economy rated roughly the same, at 40%. Those poor numbers are driven in part by dour reviews from independents and fit with recent data produced by Democratic a poll conducted in late July for the centrist Democratic think tank Third Way, Trump's job approval rating clocked in higher than the YouGov survey, hitting 45%. But a 41% plurality of registered voters said the president's second term was unfolding as 'worse' than expected and only 42% approved of his signature economic package, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4. Approval of the OBBBA among independents, according to this poll? A dismal 32%.Moreover, an early summer Democratic poll shows that 58% of voters view the economy as 'Trump's economy,' versus blaming former President Joe if the polls are accurate, Trump's blue-collar voters are running out of patience. 'In the spring, many [blue collar voters] were willing to give Trump the benefit of the doubt on his tariff plan — but by summer, many expressed serious concerns that tariffs are hurting their lives by making things more expensive,' reads a July 30 analysis of a focus group conducted by The Working Class Project, an initiative led by a Democratic super together, these findings put congressional Republicans in dire straits. And if such views proliferate among the electorate, it's not only Republicans on Capitol Hill who will feel the political pinch. Republicans vying to succeed Trump in 2028, especially Vice President JD Vance, could pay an extremely high of course, there are other surveys, and other ways of interpreting the begin with Trump's average job approval rating, calculated by RealClearPolitics at 45.7%. That's not half bad in our polarized times. The president's handling of the economy rated a similar 45% in CNBC's 'All America Economic Survey' fielded from July 3 through Aug. 3. Granted, that was a high-water mark in recent assessments of Trump's leadership on this the president's fate, and that of his party, will rest not only with how voters feel about the economy and the effectiveness of his governing agenda, but also on what the political alternative on the eve of President Barack Obama's reelection in 2012, the unemployment rate was hovering like a dark cloud over the economy at 7.9%, up one point from the previous month. That's a lot of Americans out of work — and nearly double the 4.1% rate just prior to Election Day 2024. But Republican Mitt Romney, a career businessman and corporate turnaround artist, did not ride those grim numbers into the White Heye, a Republican strategist in Washington active in campaigns during the Obama era, said there's a lesson there for Democrats assuming Trump and the GOP are inexorably doomed based on voters' economic anxiety. But so, too, must Republicans be careful not to assume the trade deals Trump has lately touted, and macro indicators showing a resilient if not entirely strong U.S. economy, will produce electoral victory.'It's a fluid thing,' Heye, an occasional Trump critic, told explained that Trump has been given some latitude (and time) by voters to improve the economy because they blamed Biden almost entirely for the inflation that spiked on his watch, even though higher prices were in part a reaction to the coronavirus pandemic, and resulting public policy decisions, that began during Trump's first term. 'That hangover that remains continues to give Trump the ability to blame things on Biden.'When might voters finally absolve Biden of responsibility and point fingers at Trump? 'Companies are absorbing costs thus far on tariffs. That's not going to last forever,' Heye another parallel with Obama might be 44th president pursued health care reform, convinced the eventual Affordable Care Act was good public policy and, as politicians are wont to say, therefore good politics. But in the short term, the law known as Obamacare was a political disaster for Democrats, costing the party 63 seats in the House seats and seven in the Senate. With Trump's firm belief in tariffs and insistence on building a protectionist moat around voters' access to foreign products, a 'shellacking' of his own can't be ruled out. But of course, it matters what kind of alternative Democrats are offering.
Economic Times
4 minutes ago
- Economic Times
School assembly news headlines (August 13): Key headlines, quotes, and thought of the day
Synopsis India observes heightened security in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Independence Day. Lok Sabha Speaker forms committee to investigate allegations against High Court Judge. The Centre allocates 4.12 crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Kedarnath Yatra is temporarily suspended due to bad weather. Election Commission denies special deep revision claims, providing updates from Bihar. Starting your day with the latest news helps you stay connected with the world around you. From politics to technology, from sports to social movements, being aware of what's happening today is important for becoming responsible citizens of tomorrow. Here are the key news headlines for 13 August 2025, followed by some motivational quotes and thoughts to inspire your day. Security tightened in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Independence Day. The region is under strict vigilance to ensure peace and safety during the celebrations. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla forms a three-member committee to probe allegations against High Court Judge Yashwant Verma, following the discovery of burnt cash at his residence in New Delhi. Centre allocates 4.12 crore houses to States and Union Territories under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin scheme, aiming to provide affordable housing to rural families. Kedarnath Yatra temporarily suspended till 14 August due to adverse weather conditions. Election Commission refutes claims of special deep revision, releasing documents and updates from Bihar. 'The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.' — Mahatma Gandhi 'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.' — Nelson Mandela 'Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?' — Mahatma Gandhi 'Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.' — Winston Churchill 'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.' — Eleanor Roosevelt 'Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.' — Adlai Stevenson 'You must be the change you wish to see in the world.' — Mahatma Gandhi 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' — Martin Luther King Jr. 'The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.' — Franklin D. Roosevelt 'Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.' — Mattie Stepanek Every small act of kindness contributes to a better, more peaceful world. What kindness will you offer today? Courage doesn't mean not being afraid; it means acting despite the fear. Face your challenges bravely. Freedom brings responsibility. Use your freedom wisely to help others and protect what is right. Learning never ends. Let curiosity lead you to discover something new every day. Unity in diversity is our strength — celebrate differences and build bridges of understanding. True patriotism is shown not only on special days but every day through honesty, respect, and service. Mistakes teach us more than success ever will. Don't fear failure; embrace it as a lesson. Hope is the light that shines brightest in the darkest moments. Hold on to hope. The environment is our home — take steps today to protect it for future generations. Your attitude shapes your day. Choose positivity and watch how the world around you changes.
The Hindu
6 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Enforcement Directorate conducts multi-state raids in case against 'illegal' betting app
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) conducted multi-state searches as part of a money laundering investigation into the operations of an 'illegal' betting app that is alleged to have duped people to the tune of ₹2,000 crore, official sources said. At least 15 premises in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Madurai (Tamil Nadu) and Surat (Gujarat) are being searched in the case against the app (application) named Parimatch, the sources said. The ED case, filed under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), stems from a 2024 FIR filed by the Mumbai cyber police. Preliminary investigation shows that the funds were collected from 'duped' users in mule accounts (used by criminals to launder illicit funds) and these were layered through multiple payment aggregators and domestic money transfer agents. The alleged illicit funds identified are worth about ₹2,000 crore, the sources said. This amount was then 'layered' and sent through crypto wallets, cash withdrawals through ATMs located in a single locality in a Tamil Nadu city, low value UPI transfers, etc., they said. The federal probe agency has recovered some documents, mobiles and computer peripherals in the searches till now, as per the sources.
