Mahadev Betting App Case: CBI Raids Residences Of Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at the residences of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel in connection with the Mahadev betting app case, on Wednesday, reported ANI.

The raids took place just hours before Baghel was set to travel to Delhi for the All India Congress Committee's (AICC) 'Drafting Committee' constituted for the AICC meeting to be held in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on 8-9 April.

Confirming the raids, Baghel’s office posted on X, "Now CBI has come. 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. Even before that, CBI reached Raipur and Bhilai residence."

The searches follow the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at Baghel’s residence on 10 March as part of an ongoing probe into an alleged multi-crore liquor scam.

On X, Baghel had stated, "ED has left the house. They found three things in my house: a pen drive containing conversation about transaction of crores between Manturam and Dr. Puneet Gupta (Dr. Raman Singh's son-in-law), and papers of SAIL company of Dr. Raman Singh's son Abhishek Singh."

He further claimed that the total amount of assets, including farming, dairy, Stridhan, and cash in hand, was Rs 33 lakh, which he said would be accounted for.

Baghel also alleged that the ED had failed to provide an ECIR number.

Refuting reports of ED summoning his son Chaitanya Baghel, the former CM said, "No notice has been received, so there is no question of appearing anywhere… This is a conspiracy by the BJP to defame leaders."

The ED alleges that a cartel of politicians, bureaucrats, and liquor businessmen illegally collected Rs 2,161 crore from liquor sales in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022. The agency has conducted multiple raids on individuals linked to the erstwhile Congress-led government in the state.

Meanwhile, Congress MP K Suresh accused the BJP of misusing central agencies, stating, "CBI, ED and IT are being used against the Opposition leaders. This is not a new thing… We have been facing this for the last 10 years."

Also Read: Kochi’s Water Metro Expands: Mattancherry Terminal Set For April Launch To Boost Connectivity In High-Traffic Corridor