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ED officials’ car ‘stopped, damaged’ during searches at Bhupesh Baghel’s residence, Congress workers booked

The incident with the ED officials’ vehicle took place at around 4.30 pm Monday, when it was moving out of the former CM’s house after searches.

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Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. (File)

An FIR has been registered against 15-20 Congress workers who allegedly stopped and shattered a window of a car in which Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, conducting searches at former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel’s residence and other premises, were travelling on Monday.

The ED searches at 14 locations, including at the residence of Baghel and his son Chaitanya in Bhilai, were related to an alleged liquor scam during the tenure of the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh under Baghel’s leadership.

The searches began early morning and soon, state Congress leaders, MLAs and workers started gathering outside Baghel’s residence shouting slogans against the BJP and ED.

The incident with the ED officials’ vehicle took place at around 4.30 pm Monday, when it was moving out of the former CM’s house after searches.

As per the FIR, 15-20 protesters forcefully stopped the vehicle and started hitting it with their hands while some even allegedly climbed on the bonnet.

Also Read | Who is Bhupesh Baghel’s son Chaitanya, raided by ED in liquor scam probe?

“Somehow, with the help of the police force, the car was slowly taken out. During this time, one person damaged the driver’s side glass of the car by throwing a stone. Later, I got information from other people that the name of the person who threw the stone and broke the glass is Sunny Agarwal. I am very scared due to this incident. Action should be taken,” read a complaint filed by the driver of the hired vehicle.

Based on the complaint, an FIR has been registered under BNS sections 191(2) (rioting), 190 (unlawful assembly), 221 (obstructing public servant from discharging duties), 132 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging duty), and 126(2) (wrongful restraint), as well as section 3 (punishment for defacing public property) of the Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act.

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The FIR names just one person, Sunny, and 15-20 unnamed protesters. It was registered late on Monday night.

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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