The Chhattisgarh High Court has granted bail to Chaitanya Baghel, the son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in a high-profile money laundering case connected to the state's alleged multi-crore liquor scam. The court emphasized that continued detention must satisfy constitutional standards of necessity and cannot be merely punitive.
Court Criticizes Investigative Lapses
While granting bail on Friday, the court strongly reprimanded the state's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for serious procedural failures. Justice Arvind Kumar Verma pointed out that the EOW relied on the statement of a 'permanent wanted' accused, Lakshminarayan Bansal, without arresting him, despite having a permanent warrant. The judge termed this a 'grave violation of law' and directed the Director General of Police to investigate the lapse and prevent its recurrence.
ED's Case Lacked Direct Evidence, Says Court
The High Court observed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) failed to present concrete evidence demonstrating Chaitanya Baghel's direct involvement in generating proceeds of crime. The allegations were largely based on statements recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and broad assertions.
'The material relied upon by the Enforcement Directorate does not disclose any document, official communication, financial instrument, bank account, or property standing in the name of the applicant which would, by itself, demonstrate direct involvement,' the court order stated. It further highlighted the absence of documentary proof like digital communications or financial trails to show Chaitanya controlled procurement or cash collections.
Case Timeline and Major Allegations
Chaitanya Baghel was arrested by the ED on 18 July 2024. He approached the High Court in October after special courts denied his bail pleas. The case revolves around allegations of a criminal syndicate bootlegging alcohol to government shops and extorting illegal commissions in collusion with political and administrative figures.
The key allegations from investigative agencies include:
- The EOW, in its chargesheet filed on 22 December 2023, alleged Chaitanya Baghel benefited by Rs 200–250 crore from the scam between 2019 and 2022.
- The ED, in a supplementary complaint filed on 15 September 2024, claimed he handled nearly Rs 1,000 crore in illicit funds.
To date, 81 individuals have been chargesheeted in the sprawling case, including former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma, former deputy secretary Saumya Chaurasia, Anwar Dhebar, former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, and retired IAS officer Niranjan Das.
With the bail order, Chaitanya Baghel is expected to be released from jail. The court's ruling underscores the legal principle of proportionality in incarceration, especially when investigations face scrutiny over their conduct and evidentiary foundations.
