In a move that has triggered sharp political reactions, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the Bhilai residence of former Chhattisgarh chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Friday, intensifying scrutiny on the leader while raising concerns about the timing of the raid. Bhupesh Baghel’s office linked the action to the Congress party’s plan to raise the issue of large-scale tree felling in Raigarh’s Tamnar tehsil on the last day of the Chhattisgarh assembly’s monsoon session, suggesting that the raid was designed to divert attention from the environmental issue.
The ED has not disclosed the specific case under which the raid was conducted, leaving room for speculation and political reactions from the Congress, which has termed the move a part of ongoing “political harassment.” Bhupesh Baghel’s residence, which he shares with his son Chaitanya Baghel, was searched by ED teams for several hours, with the central probe agency refraining from sharing official details about the nature of the investigation.
Political Allegations Over Timing
Bhupesh Baghel’s office took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to question the timing of the ED’s action. In a post, it was highlighted that the Congress had planned to raise the issue of alleged indiscriminate tree cutting in Tamnar for Adani projects in the assembly, a matter that has seen protests from environmental groups and local communities. “Today is the last day of the assembly session. The issue of trees being cut for Adani in Tamnar was to be raised. Saheb has sent ED to Bhilai Niwas,” the post read, indirectly suggesting that the raid was an attempt to stifle dissent.
The Congress has been critical of the deforestation in Raigarh’s Tamnar tehsil, alleging that the state’s interests are being overlooked in favour of corporate interests. The timing of the ED action, hours before the scheduled assembly debate, has further fuelled allegations of misuse of investigative agencies for political purposes.
Previous Investigations Against Baghel and Family
This is not the first time that Bhupesh Baghel or his family has faced action from central investigative agencies. Earlier in March this year, the ED had conducted raids on Chaitanya Baghel in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam. The ED had stated that Chaitanya Baghel was suspected of being the “recipient” of proceeds of crime in the scam, which reportedly caused a massive financial loss to the state exchequer while allegedly benefitting a liquor syndicate with over ₹2,100 crore.
The liquor scam, as claimed by the ED, involved systematic corruption within the state’s liquor trade, with allegations that the proceeds were routed through a network of middlemen and shell companies. The Baghel family has consistently denied any wrongdoing, alleging that the actions are politically motivated and are aimed at tarnishing their image ahead of key political developments in the state.
Baghel’s Run-In with Central Agencies
Bhupesh Baghel’s recent encounter with the ED is not his only run-in with central agencies. In March, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided Baghel’s premises in connection with the Mahadev betting app case, an investigation that has seen multiple arrests and raids across different states. Baghel had previously alleged that the CBI raid was orchestrated to provide material for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech ahead of his visit to Chhattisgarh on March 30, framing the action as an attempt to influence the political narrative in the state.
Baghel, who has positioned himself as a vocal critic of the BJP-led central government, has frequently accused the government of misusing investigative agencies to suppress opposition voices, particularly in states where the Congress remains a key political player. The ED’s silence on the exact details of the case under which the Friday raid was conducted has left space for these political interpretations to gain traction.
As the ED continues its probe and Bhupesh Baghel’s camp frames the action as politically motivated, the developments have added to the existing tensions between the state and the Centre. With the Congress gearing up to highlight environmental concerns, alleged misuse of investigative agencies, and issues of federalism in its campaigns, the ongoing raids are likely to shape the political discourse in Chhattisgarh in the coming weeks.
The ED has maintained its stance of non-disclosure in ongoing investigations, stating that details will be shared at an appropriate stage. Meanwhile, the Congress party has indicated it will continue to raise the issue of deforestation in Tamnar, tying it to broader concerns over environmental protection and transparency in corporate projects operating in Chhattisgarh.
The intersection of environmental activism, state politics, and central investigative action has now placed Bhupesh Baghel and his party in the spotlight, ensuring that the conversation around the ED raids will remain central to Chhattisgarh’s political narrative in the near future.
