The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids at the residences of Bhupesh Baghel, the former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, in Raipur and Bhilai. Baghel, a senior Congress leader, was scheduled to travel to Delhi on the same day to attend a meeting of the Drafting Committee for the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session set for April 8-9 in Ahmedabad. His office confirmed the CBI’s arrival, noting the timing just before his planned departure.
Context of the Raids
According to the Hindustan Times, CBI raids that are underway at the residence of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel are in connection with the Mahadev betting app case. The agency has alleged that the Mahadev online betting app syndicate, which began in 2018 under the control of Chandrakar and Uppal, facilitated illegal betting on live games like poker, cricket, football, and even elections in India, generating proceeds worth several thousand crores. The ED’s second charge sheet stated that the syndicate operated over 3,200 betting panels across different cities, generating around ₹240 crore daily, and that its promoters had rented 20 villas in Dubai to house 3,500 staff members.
Previous ED Involvement
Earlier, on March 10, 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had raided Baghel’s residence in Bhilai, along with 14 other locations in Chhattisgarh, in connection with the same liquor scam. The ED seized Rs 30-33 lakh in cash, electronic gadgets, and documents, alleging that Baghel’s son, Chaitanya Baghel, was a recipient of the scam’s proceeds. Baghel dismissed the ED raids as politically motivated, claiming the BJP-led central government was targeting him to hinder Congress activities, especially after his appointment as the party’s in-charge for Punjab.
