The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a petition by senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The plea challenged the alleged misuse of investigative powers by central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI, particularly the practice of filing "piecemeal" charge sheets.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi advised Baghel to first approach the Chhattisgarh High Court for a remedy against the filing of incomplete or sequential prosecution complaints.
Baghel&rsquo;s plea claimed that despite lacking statutory authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), the ED continues to conduct "further investigations" and file fragmented complaints&mdash;an act he described as violating due process and fundamental rights.
The plea also highlighted coercive measures such as arrests and threats that allegedly infringe upon the right to default bail under CrPC Section 167(2) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 Section 187(3).
In a separate writ petition, Baghel challenged Sections 50 and 63 of the PMLA as unconstitutional, arguing they violate Articles 14, 20, and 21 of the Indian Constitution. These sections allow the ED to summon individuals, record statements, and impose penalties under threat of arrest, thereby infringing upon the right to silence.
The court directed this second plea to be listed on August 6, alongside similar ongoing petitions questioning the constitutionality of PMLA provisions.
Additionally, the court refused to hear a connected petition from Baghel&rsquo;s son, Chaitanya Baghel, who was arrested by the ED on July 18 in the alleged ₹2,160 crore liquor scam. He, too, was advised to seek relief from the Chhattisgarh High Court.

Supreme Court tells Bhupesh Baghel to approach Chhattisgarh HC over piecemeal charges

SC Rejects Bhupesh Baghel Plea on ED Probes

Supreme Court tells Bhupesh Baghel to approach Chhattisgarh HC over piecemeal charges

August 5, 2025 | 01:50 IST