Chhattisgarh High Court Grants Bail to Chaitanya Baghel in ED and ACB/EOW Liquor Cases

Overview

• A single-judge bench led by Justice Arvind Kumar Verma approved bail in both the ED money-laundering case and the state ACB/EOW corruption case.
• Baghel was arrested by the ED in July 2025 and was taken into custody by the ACB/EOW in September 2025 while he was already in jail.
• The court had reserved its decision on December 19, 2025, and the detailed bail order is yet to be issued.
• Investigative agencies allege he handled nearly Rs 1,000 crore and received Rs 200–250 crore, with total proceeds from the alleged liquor scheme estimated at over Rs 3,000–3,500 crore.
• The probes focus on a 2019–2022 parallel excise network involving illegal holograms and diverted revenue, as multiple charge sheets proceed and the defense alleges procedural lapses and political motive.