Chaitanya Baghel's judicial custody extended for 14 more days in Chhattisgarh liquor scam case

Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has been sent to additional 14-day judicial custody by a court, which had earlier extended the custody till Saturday.

Enforcement Directorate Lawyer Saurabh Pandey said, "In the ongoing liquor scam, we found some role of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, and he was arrested...His five-day police remand was completed today, and we sought 14-day judicial custody from the court, which has been granted. The next date of hearing is September 6...He is not cooperating in the investigation

Chaitanya Baghel was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 18, 2025, in connection with the scam. The Central agency is investigating the scam under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had allowed former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya Baghel to approach the High Court challenging the probe in various scams, including the alleged Rs 2,161-crore liquor scam.

Bhupesh Baghel sought protection from coercive action -- including arrest -- in multiple FIRs filed against him in connection with the state's liquor scam, Mahadev App scam, rice milling scam, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) scam, coal scam and the Uttar Pradesh liquor scam.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi also allowed the Congress leaders' son Chaitanya Baghel to approach the High Court with his plea seeking interim bail.

In Bhupesh Baghel's plea, the Congress leader has stated that he is facing several criminal proceedings initiated between 2015 and 2025. These include cases filed by ACB/EOW Raipur alleging irregularities in procurement, rice milling, the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), and coal levy scams.