The Supreme Court threw a curveball in the Chhattisgarh liquor scandal by adjourning the hearing on Chaitanya Baghel’s controversial bail. Son of former CM Bhupesh Baghel, Chaitanya received relief from the High Court in January, but the state appealed, leading to Monday’s deferral for two weeks.
Chief Justice’s bench made it clear: any interim developments must be placed on record. This keeps the pressure on as ED’s probe into the ₹3,000 crore scam deepens.
From 2019 to 2022, under Congress rule, a shadowy network allegedly hijacked the liquor business. ED’s findings expose policy manipulations yielding massive black money, hurting public revenues. The final complaint lists 81 accused, including 59 fresh names, pointing to bureaucrats and politicians in cahoots with traders.
Chaitanya challenged ED’s arrest moves successfully in High Court, but Supreme Court scrutiny looms large. The syndicate’s blueprint—weakened regulations, rigged tenders, underground sales—paints a picture of systemic graft.
Chhattisgarh’s polity simmers with tension. BJP hails ED’s dogged pursuit; Congress cries political witch-hunt. Bhupesh Baghel’s family remains defiant amid mounting legal battles.
As two weeks tick by, expect affidavits and arguments to sharpen. The apex court’s ruling could validate or dismantle the bail, influencing parallel probes and public trust in governance.
This high-stakes legal tango highlights vulnerabilities in state-controlled sectors, urging reforms to prevent future heists.