Chaitanya Baghel case: Supreme Court to hear question of law; ED maintains case is infructuous

The Supreme Court of India on Monday (March 23, 2026) agreed to list for hearing on a non-miscellaneous day (NMD) a question of law raised in a petition filed by Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in an alleged liquor scam case on whether investigating agencies can stall trial proceedings by “endlessly” continuing with investigation.

Appearing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, senior advocate N. Hariharan, for Mr. Baghel, said the question of law was important and directly affected the accused person’s right to bail. The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) counsel submitted that the case was infructuous now as Mr. Baghel was already out on bail.

An earlier hearing had witnessed the Bench asking the ED how long it intended to continue with its investigation. “Besides the grounds of arrest, the issue here is the interpretation of Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023,” the Court had remarked.

Ex-Chhattisgarh CM’s son received over ₹200 crore in liquor scam, says ACB

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, also for Mr. Baghel, had submitted that the modus operandi of the ED seemed to be first the filing of a complaint and then arrest, after which to ensure the trial would never commence by repeating the litany that there was further investigation to be made. “The investigation does not seem to end,” Mr. Hariharan had submitted.

The ₹2,000 crore liquor scam involves allegations that politicians, excise officials, and private operators manipulated the liquor trade in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2022.

ED attaches assets worth ₹61.2 crore belonging to Baghel’s son

ED claims Chaitanya personally handled nearly ₹1,000 crore in proceeds of crime generated from the alleged liquor scam. Mr. Baghel, who was arrested in July last year, is accused of laundering a part of the proceeds of crime through shell companies and real estate investments. He was granted bail by the Chhattisgarh High Court early this year.