CBI raids Bhupesh Baghel’s properties in Chhattisgarh; former CM responds
Baghel’s office says the raids come just ahead of his visit to Delhi for a Congress meeting; Congress says searches reflect BJP’s insecurity
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday (March 26) said the CBI conducted searches at his residence ahead of his scheduled visit to New Delhi for a Congress meeting.
Raids at Baghel’s houses in Raipur, Bhillai
Teams of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday swooped down at the residences of Baghel in Raipur and Bhilai as well as the residential premises of a senior police officer and a close associate of the former chief minister, officials said.
Also read: Mahadev betting app: After arrest, kingpin Chandrakar may be extradited to India soon
The raids come barely two weeks after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the residence of Baghel and his son Chaitanya in a connection with an alleged liquor scam case
Mahadev app scam
While the agency is tight-lipped about the matter in which the searches are taking place, sources say it is linked to the Mahadev online betting app scam.
Reacting to the action, Baghel's office in a post on X said, "Now CBI has arrived. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is scheduled to go to Delhi today for the meeting of the ‘Drafting Committee’ constituted for the AICC meeting to be held in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on April 8 and 9. Before that, CBI has reached Raipur and Bhilai residences.”
The raids also covered the premises of some other leaders of the Congress and police officials in Raipur and Durg districts, as per the sources.
Also read: Baghel: FIR in Mahadev app case politically motivated by BJP fearing poll defeat
BJP scared: Congress
State Congress communication wing head Sushil Anand Shukla slammed the BJP over the action and claimed the ruling party was scared of Baghel.
“Ever since Baghel has become the party in-charge of Punjab, the BJP is scared. First, the Enforcement Directorate was sent to his residence and now, the CBI has been sent. This shows the BJP's fear. When the BJP fails to fight politically, it uses central agencies against its opponents," he alleged.
"Neither Bhupesh Baghel nor the Congress party is scared,” Shukla said.
The people of the country and the state are well aware of these "oppressive" policies of the BJP, he said.
CBI case against Baghel
Earlier also, the CBI had lodged a case against Baghel in connection with an alleged seven-year-old (sleaze) CD matter, but the court recently discharged him of all charges, Shukla added.
Also read: Chhattisgarh EOW registers FIR against ex-CM Baghel in Mahadev betting app case
The state government last year handed over to the CBI 70 cases related to the alleged Mahadev scam lodged with different police stations and one case registered with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in the state.
(With inputs from agencies)