Congress calls CBI raids on Bhupesh Baghel politically driven

Raipur

The Congress on Wednesday accused the BJP of misusing central agencies, calling the CBI’s searches at former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s residence politically driven. The raids were linked to the alleged ₹6,000 crore Mahadev app scam.

CBI teams searched Baghel’s residences in Raipur and Bhilai, along with the homes of senior police officers and Congress MLA Devendra Yadav. Baghel, scheduled to attend a Congress meeting in Delhi, questioned the timing of the raids. His office stated on X that the searches began just before his departure.

State Congress chief Deepak Baij alleged the BJP was using investigative agencies to intimidate opposition leaders. He declared that neither Baghel nor the Congress would be silenced. Former Deputy CM TS Singh Deo also condemned the raids, calling them a failed attempt to tarnish Baghel’s image and distract from governance failures.

Congress spokesperson Sushil Anand Shukla claimed the BJP was afraid of Baghel’s political influence, particularly after his appointment as Punjab Congress in-charge. He pointed out that similar raids by the Enforcement Directorate had also targeted Baghel earlier.

The Mahadev app scam involves illegal betting and alleged money laundering. The ED has previously investigated the case, linking high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats. While Baghel was named in the FIR, he has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.

The Congress has vowed to fight back, accusing the BJP of using central agencies as tools for political vendetta.