Bhupesh Baghel’s son questioned in attempted murder case, days after ex-CM wrote to CJI

The case, from July this year, was filed after a group of armed assailants allegedly assaulted a Bhilai-based college professor

Chaitanya Baghel. (Photo: Facebook)

Police from Chhattisgarh’s Durg district Thursday questioned former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel’s son in connection with the alleged attempted murder of a Bhila-based college professor earlier this year.

Chaitanya Baghel was called in for questioning to Old Bhilai Police Station around 11 am Thursday and was released in the evening.

The case is from July this year, when a group of armed assailants allegedly assaulted Vinod Sharma, a Bhilai resident and a professor at Khubchand Baghel PG College.

The development comes days after the former CM wrote to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud claiming that there had been attempts to “misuse” state and central agencies against him and his family.

Durg Superintendent of Police Jitendra Shukla confirmed to The Indian Express that Chaitanya had been called for questioning “to find out if he has any involvement in the murder attempt case of a college professor in July this year”.

“His name cropped up during the investigation,” he said.

According to an FIR filed on July 19, Sharma had stopped at a paan shop on his way home when four armed assailants stopped their bikes there and began to assault and abuse him.

They also allegedly beat his 25-year-old driver Hemant Baghel when he tried to intervene. Hemant eventually brought help and took Sharma to a local hospital.

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Based on Hemant’s complaint, police registered an FIR against four unidentified people under sections 109 (murder attempt), 296(obscene act) and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

While calls to Baghel went unanswered, sources claimed Chaitanya’s phone had been impounded by investigators.

The Congress meanwhile called it a case of “witch-hunting”.

Sushil Anand Shukla, the communications cell head for the party’s Chhattisgarh unit, said, “The BJP is playing dirty politics. Even when Baghel ji was Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief, they (BJP) had made allegations on his private property. His late mother and wife were made to sit for hours in the ACB/EOW (Anti Corruption Bureau/Economic Offences Wing) office. Even after he became the chief minister, his name was dragged in alleged scams to tarnish his image. Now again they are harassing his son by calling him to the police station.”

Jayprakash S Naidu

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More

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