Chhattisgarh. (09:04): Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel has criticized the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) actions in the money laundering case linked to an alleged liquor scam. Baghel accused the ED of targeting opposition parties under the influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s central government. The Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the money laundering case against former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Anil Tuteja and his son Yash, related to a Rs 2,000 crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh during the previous government, was cited as evidence of ED’s alleged conspiracy.
Baghel asserted that the ED’s role should be aligned with the Constitution, not any political party. He condemned what he described as the political misuse of the ED and accused the Modi government of being exposed by the Supreme Court’s decision. Baghel alleged that the BJP orchestrated a campaign to defame opposition parties by turning every case into a money laundering issue at the ED’s behest, especially during election times.
Regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling, Baghel emphasized that it vindicated his claims that the BJP, through the ED, attempted to tarnish the image of the Congress government in Chhattisgarh during elections. He urged investigative agencies like the ED to prioritize constitutional principles over political agendas.
In the alleged liquor scam case, the ED had previously filed a prosecution complaint, claiming corruption amounting to Rs 2161 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED accused Anil Tuteja, businessman Anwar Dhebar, and others of forming a criminal syndicate that undermined the objectives of the state’s excise department. This syndicate, as per the chargesheet, allegedly included senior bureaucrats, leaders, associates, and excise department officials.
Earlier this year, the Chhattisgarh Economic Offenses Investigation Wing and Anti-Corruption Bureau also registered a case against 70 individuals, including Congress leaders and companies, based on the ED’s report on the alleged liquor scam. Last week, arrests were made in connection with the case, including Anwar Dhebar and Arvind Singh.
