Enforcement Directorate Raids Bhupesh Baghel's Residence, Former CM Terms It As BJP's Vendetta

Bhupesh Baghel, the former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, has accused the BJP-led Central Government of using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to target him politically. He claimed that the ED's actions were intended to intimidate opposition leaders. Baghel stated that ED officials arrived at his Durg residence early in the morning while he was having tea.

Baghel expressed frustration over not being provided with an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) number, which is akin to an FIR. "ED doesn't have any Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) number. When we asked for it. They didn't have an answer," he said. He recalled a previous case where serious allegations were made against him seven years ago, but the Supreme Court had cleared him.

Political Allegations and Raids

The Congress leader also alleged that he was prevented from attending the Chhattisgarh Assembly and using his phone during the raid. "They didn't let me go to Vidhan Sabha today. They stopped me from talking over the phone as well," Baghel remarked. He mentioned that his family resides with him and they primarily earn through agriculture on 140 acres of land.

Earlier in the day, ED conducted raids at 14 locations in Durg district, including Baghel's residence and that of his son Chaitanya, related to an alleged liquor scam. Despite these actions, Baghel questioned why no evidence had been found against him over three years and asserted he was unafraid of the agency.

Response to Cash Recovery

Baghel dismissed reports about a cash-counting machine being brought to his home as a media ploy. "Cash has been recovered as we have a lot of land and jewellery," he explained, noting that Rs 35 lakh was found at his house. He downplayed this amount, suggesting it wasn't significant.

The senior Congress figure further alleged that despite thorough searches by ED officials, nothing incriminating was discovered even after examining his family's wardrobes. Baghel maintained confidence in his innocence and reiterated that no one could intimidate him.

"Nobody has the guts to touch Bhupesh Baghel. Bhupesh Baghel doesn't get scared of death as well," he declared defiantly when addressing reporters about the ongoing investigations.