The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at the residence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday. The searches took place ahead of his scheduled visit to New Delhi for a Congress meeting.
CBI teams raided Mr. Baghel’s residences in Raipur and Bhilai, along with the premises of a senior police officer and a close associate of the former CM. Officials remained tight-lipped about the exact nature of the investigation.
Sources indicated that the searches were related to the alleged Mahadev online betting app scam. Mr. Baghel’s office, reacting to the raids, posted on X, “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 several Congress leaders and police officials in Raipur and Durg districts, according to sources.
State Congress communication wing head Sushil Anand Shukla criticized the ruling BJP, claiming the party was afraid of Mr. Baghel’s influence. He alleged, “Ever since Bhupesh 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.”
Shukla further stated that neither Bhupesh Baghel nor the Congress party was intimidated by the actions. He accused the BJP of using “oppressive” tactics, which he claimed were well-known to the people of both the state and the country.
Previously, the CBI had lodged a case against Mr. Baghel in connection with an alleged seven-year-old sleaze CD matter. However, the court recently discharged him of all charges.
Last year, the Chhattisgarh government handed over 70 cases related to the alleged Mahadev scam to the CBI. These cases had been lodged at various police stations, along with one case registered with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in the state.
Recently, the Enforcement Directorate had also conducted searches at Mr. Baghel’s residence in connection with an alleged liquor scam case.
