ED Had No Search Warrant For Raid? Here's What Ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel Said On Probe At His Residence

Enforcement Directorate raided the premises of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, claiming a money laundering investigation against his son.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday spoke on the raids by Enforcement Directorate at his premises earlier in the day claiming the enforcement agency did not have proper warrant for their action.

The enforcement agency raided the premises of Baghel as part of a money laundering investigation against his son in the alleged liquor scam case.

"Around 7.30 in the morning, ED officers came. I welcomed them. Some of them went to the block where my family members reside. After a while, I asked for the search warrant," Baghel said while speaking to reporters on Bhillai. One of the officers came and said that they had the warrant but it was for another block, he added. 

"I told that I had taken one of the blocks from former CM Raman Singh and now it is an office. When I asked if I could go to the Assembly, they said it would be better if I don't go...," he said. 

Baghel further said that the officers asked for his phone for which he denied after which the officers asked him not to make any phone calls. 

During the raids, the ED officials went through several files. "When they would start opening the file, they'd get excited but their hands and feet would start trembling as and when they would see Raman Singh's name," he added. 

ED Raids On Baghel's Son's Premises 

The ED also raided the premises of Baghel's son Chaitanya Baghel and others. 

As per a PTI report, quoting sources, Chaitanya's premises in Bhilai, his alleged close associate Laxmi Narayan Bansal alias Pappu Bansal, and some others were also being searched under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Chaitanya shares the Bhillai accommodation with his father and hence the premises were covered. The ex-CM's son is suspected to be the "recipient" of the proceeds of crime of the liquor scam, the ED said, adding about 14-15 premises are being raided in the state.

He has been summoned by the ED to be present before it on Tuesday. During the investigation, ED has found such evidence that Chaitanya also received the money collected from the proceeds of crime in the liquor scam.