Bhupesh Baghel Challenges ED's Arrest Powers in Supreme Court, Alleges Political Vendetta
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea filed by former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya Baghel on Monday, August 4. The petition challenges the powers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to arrest and investigate accused individuals, as well as the jurisdiction of these agencies in such cases.
Bhupesh and Chaitanya, in their petition, have questioned the legitimacy of the probe being conducted by the ED and the CBI. This move comes after Chaitanya's arrest by the ED on July 18, following a search at his residence in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, which he shares with his father.
Chaitanya is currently in judicial custody until August 4, in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to a purported liquor scam. The ED has claimed that Chaitanya handled more than ₹1,000 crore worth of proceeds of crime generated from the alleged liquor scam and used ₹16.7 crore of this amount for the development of his real estate project. However, Chaitanya has vehemently denied these allegations and claimed innocence.
Bhupesh Baghel has alleged that the ED's action against his son is politically motivated. He believes that the arrest and investigation are aimed at diverting attention from the issue of illegal tree felling for coal mines in the state. The Congress party had planned to raise this issue in the state assembly last week.
The former Chief Minister has also criticized the timing of the ED's action, suggesting that it was intended to disrupt the Congress's plans to highlight the environmental concerns in the state. This has added to the political tension and raised questions about the independence of the investigative agencies.
The Supreme Court's hearing on Monday is expected to provide clarity on the jurisdiction and powers of the CBI and ED, as well as the validity of the allegations against Chaitanya Baghel. The case has attracted significant attention due to its political implications and the potential impact on the ongoing investigations in Chhattisgarh.
