Baghel Links CBI Searches to His Delhi Visit

Chhattisgarh Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has criticized the recent raid by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at his Raipur and Bhilai residences during a time when he was supposed to visit Delhi. The actions taken by the CBI are due to an ongoing investigation of an alleged ₹6,000 crore Mahadev online betting application scam, against which Baghel has been implicated as an accused.

Baghel's office emphasized the timing of the raids, implying that they were politically directed and intended to interrupt his attendance at a Congress meeting pertaining to the coming All India Congress Committee (AICC) conclave in Ahmedabad. 

He had earlier defended himself against charges in connection with this case, stating that his name was included under pressure from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The CBI probe comes after a series of investigations into corruption and illegal operations linked to the Mahadev app, which is accused of promoting large-scale online gambling and money laundering.

 Baghel's supporters have accused the BJP of employing central agencies to harass political rivals, claiming that such moves are a sign of the ruling party's fear of Baghel's hold on Congress politics.