ED Raids Close Aides of Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel in Bharatmala Land Compensation Case

Raipur, October 28 The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday carried out searches at the premises of two close associates of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in connection with the alleged compensation scam. ED officials reached the houses of Nitin Daga in Raipur's Ravi Nagar area and Gulshan Baghel in Durg at around 4 am on October 27. The teams conducted a detailed search of documents related to land acquisition and compensation paid under the Bharat - Mala Pariyojana.

What is the case about?

The Bharatmala project is the Centre's flagship highway construction programme. The probe is focused on allegations that compensation for land acquired for the project in Chhattisgarh was inflated. Officials allege that fake beneficiaries were created and money was diverted using forged records.

The ED is investigating the money laundering aspect of the case. According to sources, the agency seized financial files, property papers and digital devices during the eight-hour-long search operation. The documents will be examined to trace the flow of money.

Political war of words

Former CM Bhupesh Baghel slammed the action, calling it a case of political vendetta. He said central agencies are being used to harass opposition leaders and his associates have no role in the compensation process.

The ruling BJP, however, said the agencies are free to act as per law. A BJP spokesperson in Raipur said that if there was corruption in land compensation, it should be fully investigated.

Context

Chhattisgarh has seen a series of ED actions in the last two years, including probes into the alleged coal levy scam, liquor scam and Mahadev app case. The fresh searches have triggered a new political face-off between Congress and BJP just days before the state's 26th Foundation Day celebrations on November 1.

No official statement has been released by the ED so far on the seizures. More questioning is expected in the next few days.