Bhilai (National Times): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted a raid at the Bhilai residence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, triggering political controversy just hours before the conclusion of the monsoon session of the state legislative assembly.
While ED officials have yet to confirm the specific case under which the searches were carried out, the development has drawn sharp reactions from Baghel’s camp, which has linked the action to political motives.
Politically-Timed Action?
A post from Baghel’s official account on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) pointed to the timing of the raids, claiming the ED’s move was an attempt to divert attention from a key issue the Congress was set to raise in the Assembly.
“Today is the last day of the assembly session. The issue of trees being cut for Adani in Tamnar was to be raised. Saheb has sent ED to Bhilai Niwas,” read the post, suggesting that the timing of the raids coincided suspiciously with planned criticism of environmental damage in Raigarh’s Tamnar tehsil.
The Residence & Background
The Bhilai residence, known locally as Bhilai Niwas, is shared by Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya Baghel, who was previously under ED scrutiny. In March 2025, the agency conducted similar raids on Chaitanya in connection with an alleged ₹2,100 crore liquor scam.
In that case, the ED had claimed Chaitanya Baghel was a possible beneficiary of proceeds of crime, linking him to a syndicate that allegedly caused massive losses to the state exchequer through illicit control over liquor distribution in the state.
Past Investigations and Ongoing Tensions
This is not the first time Baghel has been targeted by central agencies. He was also raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in March this year in connection with the controversial Mahadev betting app case. At the time, Baghel accused the central government of weaponising investigative agencies for political gain, suggesting the raids were timed to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chhattisgarh on March 30.
In today’s instance, Baghel’s supporters have reiterated their claim that central agencies are being used to muzzle opposition voices, particularly in politically sensitive states like Chhattisgarh where the Congress remains a key player.
Silence from the ED
As of now, the Enforcement Directorate has not released an official statement on the raids or revealed the specific case or evidence prompting the searches at Bhilai Niwas. However, political observers believe it is either an extension of the liquor scam probe or a fresh angle in ongoing financial investigations involving the former CM’s close circle.
Congress Reacts
The Congress party has condemned the raids, calling them a “clear case of vendetta politics”. Senior party leaders are expected to address a press conference later today to formally respond to the ED’s action.
With this latest development, political tensions in Chhattisgarh are once again on the rise, with allegations of misuse of power and targeted enforcement forming the center of an increasingly fierce battle between the BJP-led Centre and Congress-led opposition.
