Congress Leader Sachin Pilot Slams BJP's Intimidation Tactics After Meeting Bhupesh Baghel's Son
Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot has accused the BJP of using investigative agencies to intimidate and silence the opposition, following his visit to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's son, Chaitanya, who was arrested in an alleged liquor scam.
CongressBjpChhattisgarhSachin PilotBhupesh BaghelReal EstateJul 26, 2025
He was talking to reporters outside Raipur Central Jail, where former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel's son Chaitanya is lodged following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last week in an alleged liquor scam running into several hundred crore rupees.
I met Chaitanya Baghel today. We have been repeatedly saying that BJP and its governments at the Centre and the state have been continuously trying to threaten and intimidate opponents. The action against Congress leaders and now against former CM Baghel's son proves Central and state investigative agencies have been trying to suppress the voice of political opponents of the BJP, Pilot alleged.
We have full faith in the judiciary. The truth will come to the fore. Bhupesh Baghel ji has also said they will fully cooperate in the judicial procedure. But the action shows the ED, CBI, and Income Tax etc. are being used to target BJP's opponents, particularly Congress. Earlier too, action was taken against our leaders like MLAs Kawasi Lakhma and Devendra Yadav, Pilot added.
The BJP is trying to malign the image of Congress leaders, and a failed attempt was made through the ED to harass Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in this manner, he added. It has been proved in Chhattisgarh that at every turn they (BJP) want to divert attention from issues by using agencies. Whoever raises a voice against corruption, misgovernance, and about the government filling the pockets of industrialists will have to face this consequence. The Congress is not going to get scared and our political struggle will continue, Pilot asserted.
After arresting Chaitanya Baghel, the Enforcement Directorate, in a statement, had said he handled more than Rs 1,000 crore worth of proceeds of crime generated from the alleged liquor scam and had used Rs 16.7 crore from it in his real estate project. The alleged liquor scam, as per the ED, was orchestrated between 2019-22 when Chhattisgarh was under the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government, resulting in massive loss to the state exchequer, while beneficiaries of a liquor syndicate pocketed more than Rs 2,100 crore. The ED in January arrested former minister and Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma, besides Anwar Dhebar, former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officer Arunpati Tripathi, among others, for alleged involvement in the scam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh?
The alleged liquor scam involves the misappropriation of funds from the liquor trade in Chhattisgarh. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) claims that it was orchestrated between 2019-2022, resulting in a massive loss to the state exchequer and benefiting a liquor syndicate to the tune of Rs 2,100 crore.
Who is Chaitanya Baghel and why was he arrested?
Chaitanya Baghel is the son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged liquor scam, accused of handling over Rs 1,000 crore worth of proceeds of crime and using Rs 16.7 crore in a real estate project.
What did Sachin Pilot say about the arrest of Chaitanya Baghel?
Sachin Pilot, a senior Congress leader, accused the BJP of using investigative agencies to intimidate and silence the opposition. He stated that the action against Congress leaders, including Chaitanya Baghel, shows that the ED, CBI, and IT departments are being used to target BJP's political opponents.
How has the Congress party responded to these allegations?
The Congress party, through leaders like Sachin Pilot, has accused the BJP of using investigative agencies to harass and intimidate political opponents. They have expressed their faith in the judiciary and stated that they will continue their political struggle despite these tactics.
What is the role of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in this case?
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is the investigating agency that has been handling the alleged liquor scam case. They have arrested several individuals, including Chaitanya Baghel, and are conducting further investigations to uncover the extent of the alleged misappropriation of funds.
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