State

Bhupesh Baghel acquitted in sex CD scandal case

News On Time Desk 05 March 2025

Raipur Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has got a big relief in the sex CD scandal case. The special CBI court on Tuesday acquitted him of all charges after hearing. The court said that there is no basis for prosecuting him and all the sections imposed on him have been dropped.

After this decision, Bhupesh Baghel posted on the social media platform X and wrote, "Satyamev Jayate."

What is the sex CD scandal?
The sex CD scandal case first came to light in October 2017. It was claimed that the then minister Rajesh Munat is involved in the video. An FIR was registered in this case at the Civil Lines police station in Raipur, after which journalist Vinod Verma was arrested from Delhi. The Congress called it a conspiracy of the BJP government.

In September 2018, the then state Congress President Bhupesh Baghel was also arrested in this case. He was accused of plotting, but he refused to take bail in the court. Congress workers had demonstrated across the state against his arrest.

Political impact and decision
Congress got majority in the 2018 assembly elections and Bhupesh Baghel became the Chief Minister. In the sex CD scandal, the main accused Kailash Murarka, former Chief Minister's media advisor Vinod Verma, Bhupesh Baghel, Vijay Pandya and Vijay Bhatia were made accused. While the accused in this case, Rinku Khanuja, has died.

On Tuesday, the case was heard in the special CBI court, in which former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was acquitted. After this decision, there is a wave of happiness in the Congress camp and supporters have called it a victory of justice.