ED raids former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel’s residence, son Chaitanya detained

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted a high profile raid at the Bhilai-3 residence of senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, taking his son Chaitanya Baghel into custody. He was later transported to the ED’s regional office in Raipur for further questioning, sources said.

The action has triggered massive political outrage, particularly as it coincided with the final day of Chhattisgarh Assembly’s monsoon session.

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The search operation began early in the morning. Security forces were deployed in large numbers around the Bhilai residence in anticipation of protests. Within hours, hundreds of Congress workers assembled outside the premises, raising slogans and demanding an explanation for the move. Police barricaded the area to control the crowd and ensure order. The raid was conducted on the birthday of Chaitanya Baghel. Supporters of the former chief minister had planned a blood donation camp outside the residence to mark the occasion. However, the celebration was overshadowed by the ED action.

Reacting strongly, Bhupesh Baghel took to the social media platform X and wrote, “ED has arrived. Today is the final day of the Assembly session. I was going to raise the issue of trees being cut in Tamnar for Adani. Saheb has sent the ED to my Bhilai residence.”

In another post, he remarked sarcastically- “No one gives birthday gifts like Modi and Shah. On my birthday, they sent ED to the homes of my advisor and two OSDs. Today, on my son Chaitanya’s birthday, they have raided my home. Thank you for such memorable gifts. I will remember them forever.”

Despite the raid, Baghel left his residence to attend the final proceedings of the state Assembly, where the Congress had planned to raise multiple issues, including alleged environmental violations in industrial projects.

The ED has not yet issued an official statement on the nature of the investigation or the grounds for detaining Chaitanya Baghel. However, senior BJP leaders in the state maintained that the action was within the purview of the central agency.

Speaking to reporters, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said, “The Enforcement Directorate is a central agency, and only it can reveal the specifics of the case. However, Bhupesh Baghel cannot mislead the public. There were serious allegations of irregularities and misuse of funds during his tenure, which may have prompted this raid.”

Chhattisgarh Congress in-charge and senior leader Sachin Pilot termed the ED action politically motivated. “The timing raises serious questions: are central agencies being used to suppress the voice of elected representatives?” Pilot posted on X. “It is the duty of the opposition to hold the government accountable. Targeting our leaders for doing their job is deeply concerning.”

This is not the first time Bhupesh Baghel or his close associates have come under the ED’s scanner. During his tenure as chief minister, several of his aides were also questioned in connection with alleged irregularities.

The raid marks a new escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the Congress and the BJP in Chhattisgarh, with the opposition alleging systematic misuse of federal agencies to intimidate political rivals.