Bhupesh Baghel

The case concerns the alleged creation and circulation of a doctored obscene video purportedly depicting BJP Minister Rajesh Munat. Baghel was arrested in 2018 and named in the CBI charge sheet. After a favourable discharge, a higher court ordered in January 2026 that he face trial again.

State of the evidence

CBI charge sheet and court decisions documented

Legal status — source text

discharge granted in 2025 then overturned on 24 January 2026; Chhattisgarh High Court stayed the trial on 30 July 2026 pending consideration of his appeal

Attribution

Baghel personally accused in the case, but no final guilt established

His rival Vijay Baghel is challenging Bhupesh Baghel's election in Patan, alleging in particular that a rally or roadshow was organised during the 48-hour election silence period. In June 2026, the High Court found that the alleged facts were sufficiently specific to warrant a trial on the merits.

State of the evidence

Allegations and procedural decisions documented

Legal status — source text

The High Court found the petition sufficiently pleaded to proceed; the Supreme Court declined to intervene on 7 August 2026; merits not yet determined

Attribution

Personal litigation concerning the validity of his election, with no finding of fraud or unlawful influence at this stage

The CBI took over the Mahadev Online Book case and in 2025 published an FIR naming Bhupesh Baghel as an accused alongside 18 others. The case includes allegations that public and political officials received protection payments; the CBI searched his residences in March 2025.

State of the evidence

CBI FIR and searches documented; allegations unadjudicated

Legal status — source text

investigation ongoing; no personal conviction established as at 30 August 2026

Attribution

direct personal accusation in the FIR; presumption of innocence

The ED searched Baghel's residence and premises linked to his son Chaitanya as part of an investigation into an alleged network that diverted revenue from the liquor sector under his government. The agency estimates the alleged scheme at more than ₹2 161 crore.

State of the evidence

Searches and ED case documented

Legal status — source text

Investigation ongoing; at the time of the March 2025 searches, the ED had not publicly specified any personal role played by Baghel

Attribution

Direct scrutiny of his premises, but the most specific financial allegations concern his son and other individuals in particular

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

The 2021 recruitment process of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission was accused of favouring relatives of senior officials, commission executives, politicians and businesspeople. The High Court requested verification of the allegations, and the subsequent government sought a CBI investigation.

State of the evidence

Allegations of favouritism and decisions to verify and investigate documented

Legal status — source text

Investigations targeting commission officials and beneficiaries; no personal conviction of Baghel

Attribution

Political responsibility for governance; no established evidence that Baghel personally manipulated the selection process

The ED described Saumya Chaurasia, former deputy secretary in Baghel's office, as a key link in an alleged system of illegal levies on coal transport and alleged that she had received proceeds of crime. Her proximity to the Chief Minister's office made the affair a major governance controversy.

State of the evidence

ED charges and allegations documented against a close associate in the Chief Minister's office

Legal status — source text

proceedings involving Saumya Chaurasia and others; no personal conviction of Baghel in this strand

Attribution

Governance responsibility limited to the accused woman's proximity to his office; the acts alleged against Chaurasia must not be attributed to Baghel

Person targeted by the proceedings

Saumya Chaurasia et d'autres

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted