‘Spectacle’: Bhupesh Baghel slams ED raids, says being ‘defamed’

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has practically taunted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) the day after it conducted raids at his residence and others in or linked to his family. Baghel accused the agency of orchestrating a political spectacle and questioned the prolonged delay in concluding the investigation.

"They had brought a note counting machine but only 33 lakh rupees were found, which is not a very big amount. Overall, an attempt is being made to defame me. No summons have been issued to me.

"It has been 4 years and they have not been able to investigate yet. When will the investigation be completed?" Baghel asked, lambasting the central agency for what he described as a deliberate attempt to target him for questioning the government in the state assembly.

Asserting that the agency had failed to uncover any incriminating evidence, Baghel hit back, saying, "I was reading the newspaper and having tea when the ED team arrived. I welcomed them, as I have been expecting them for months... Nobody can suppress Baghel," he stated.

Baghel highlighted the materials seized during the raid himself, including a pen drive containing purported financial discussions involving Manturam and Puneet Gupta — son-in-law of former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh — as well as papers related to the SAIL company linked to Abhishek Singh, Raman Singh’s son.

Baghel alleged that the central agency was being used as a political tool to intimidate opposition leaders.

"An atmosphere was created as if huge amounts of unaccounted money were being discovered. They even brought note-counting machines. But Rs 33 lakh is not a massive amount, especially for a family engaged in farming and dairy business," he remarked.

"It is now a crime to ask questions in the Vidhan Sabha."

The raids also extended to Baghel’s son, Chaitanya Baghel, and businessman Laxmi Narayan Bansal, alias Pappu Bansal, described as a close aide of Chaitanya.

The ED conducted searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), linking the case to an alleged liquor scam.

Congress leaders have rallied behind Baghel, calling the raids a politically motivated attack ahead of elections. "This is nothing but a diversionary tactic by the BJP to silence strong opposition voices," said Pawan Khera.

Baghel, undeterred by the ED’s actions, reaffirmed his commitment to exposing corruption. "We are not running away. We will follow the procedure.

"But it is clear that the ED is being weaponised against those who question the government."