Bhupesh Baghel (PTI image)
NEW DELHI: Former Chhattisgarh chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Monday said he was denied permission by the Centre to meet his son, Chaitanya Baghel, who is currently in jail.He alleged that his son’s imprisonment was politically motivated and expressed frustration over being barred from a family visit during the Diwali festival.In a post on X, Baghel shared his frustration recalling that during previous governments, family visits on festive occasions were allowed. He wrote: “Two decades ago, Chief Minister Ajit Jogi had sent Babuji to jail, but permission to meet him on Diwali had been granted. By the grace of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, my son is in jail. Today is Diwali, but I do not have permission to meet him. I still wish everyone Diwali greetings.”
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Speaking to ANI reporters in Durg, Congress leader alleged that his son’s imprisonment was politically motivated and claimed he was being denied basic visitation rights usually allowed to prisoners during festivals.“My son is in jail due to the actions of Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. Prisoners are allowed to meet their families during festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Eid, and Diwali. But I am not being allowed to meet my son this Diwali,” Baghel said.He also recalled that during previous governments, such restrictions were not imposed. “Twenty years ago, when my father was in jail, the whole family met him during Diwali. But now, under PM Modi’s government, such meetings are being denied,” he added.Baghel further alleged that his family was being targeted for opposing industrial projects. “Adani was cutting down trees in Tamnar. When I protested, my son was jailed. That is the reason for his arrest,” he said.He claimed other relatives have also been prevented from visiting Chaitanya, calling it a “complete ban” on family meetings during the festival.Chaitanya Baghel was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on July 18 in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged multi-crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh. The former CM described his son’s detention as an act of political vendetta and an example of silencing dissent.