Archive · 31 Dec 2025
ED Uncovers Rs 2,800-Crore Liquor Scam in Chhattisgarh
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India has found a big scam in Chhattisgarh involving liquor.
They say that some important government officials and politicians worked together to cheat the system.
They made a lot of money illegally by selling liquor in ways that were not allowed.
The ED has taken away properties and money worth over Rs 100 crore from these people.
They have also charged 81 people, including a former excise minister and the son of a former chief minister, for their roles in the scam.
The scam happened between 2019 and 2023, and the ED says it was very well organized, with many layers of illegal activities.
The ED has attached assets worth over Rs 100 crore belonging to former excise officials and distilleries in Chhattisgarh.
The scam involved a criminal syndicate of senior bureaucrats and political figures who hijacked the state's excise department.
The syndicate generated illegal earnings through four distinct channels, including illegal commissions and unaccounted sales.
81 people, including Chaitanya Baghel (son of former CM Bhupesh Baghel) and former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma, have been named as accused.
The investigation revealed a deep-rooted conspiracy across the state's administrative and political hierarchy for illegal financial gains.
- Who
- Senior bureaucrats, political figures, and excise officials in Chhattisgarh
- What
- An alleged Rs 2,800-crore liquor scam involving corruption and illegal earnings
- When
- Between 2019 and 2023
- Where
- Chhattisgarh, India
- Why
- To generate illegal earnings through a parallel excise system and bypass state controls
- Total Assets Attached
- Rs 100 crore
- Number of Properties Attached
- 78
- Number of Bank Accounts/FDs
- 197
- Total Proceeds of Crime
- Rs 2,883 crore
- Duration of Scam
- 2019-2023
- Number of Accused
- 81
- Key Figures Involved
- Niranjan Das, Chaitanya Baghel, Kawasi Lakhma, Saumya Chaurasia
- Distilleries Involved
- Chhattisgarh Distilleries Ltd., Bhatia Wine Merchants Pvt. Ltd., Welcome Distilleries Pvt Ltd.
