The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain the plea of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who had approached the court seeking protection from arrest and alleging misuse of investigative powers by central agencies in a money laundering case. The top court advised him to move the High Court instead.
"If you want to simpliciter file writ petition challenging provisions…but you are questioning the arrest…you can’t ask for whole some relief in one petition. Why should we hear the facts at all? For what purpose are HCs there? This abnormality is arising only in cases of affluent persons. Where will poor persons go?" — Justice Surya Kant remarked.
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Baghel's petition had challenged specific provisions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), especially those concerning the power of “further investigation.”
His plea followed the arrest of his son, Chaitanya Baghel, in the same case. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed both Bhupesh and Chaitanya to approach the appropriate forum - the High Court - for relief.
Chaitanya had also moved the Supreme Court, seeking interim bail and questioning the legality of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
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The court made it clear that challenging the validity of legal provisions and seeking bail or arrest protection could not be clubbed together in a single plea.
Both Bhupesh Baghel and Chaitanya Baghel alleged that the ongoing investigation by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was illegal and politically motivated.
Chaitanya was arrested on July 18 after an ED raid at their residence in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh. He is currently under judicial custody till August 4 in connection with a money laundering probe linked to a liquor scam in the state.
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According to the ED, Chaitanya played a key role in managing over ₹1,000 crore in illegal proceeds from the alleged scam. The agency also claimed that ₹16.7 crore of that amount was used to fund one of his real estate projects. Chaitanya, however, has firmly denied all the charges and asserted his innocence.
Bhupesh Baghel alleged that his son’s arrest was part of a political vendetta orchestrated by the ruling BJP government.
The Supreme Court’s direction marks a significant moment in this high-profile case, emphasizing the role of High Courts in handling such legal challenges and bail-related matters.
Case Name: Bhupesh Baghel & Chaitanya Baghel vs. Union of India
Hearing Date: 29 July 2025 (Monday)