Raipur, India:
In a major political development in Chhattisgarh, a sessions court in Raipur has ordered a full-fledged trial against former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in the controversial CD scandal that shook the state’s politics in 2017–18.
The court allowed a review petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), overturning an earlier order of a lower court that had discharged Baghel from the case. With this ruling, Baghel and other accused will now face a regular criminal trial. The court has also directed the former chief minister to appear in person, with the next hearing scheduled for February 23.
Sessions Court Reverses Lower Court Relief
In March 2025, a special CBI court had ruled that there was insufficient evidence to proceed against Bhupesh Baghel and discharged him from the case. Challenging that decision, the CBI approached the sessions court, which has now set aside the earlier order, stating that the material on record warrants a trial.
Trial to Proceed Against All Accused
Following the latest order, Bhupesh Baghel will stand trial along with other accused, including businessman Kailash Murarka and Baghel’s former political adviser Vinod Verma. The sessions court rejected pleas filed by Murarka and Verma seeking discharge, observing that there is adequate evidence for the matter to be examined during trial.
Other accused in the case include Vijay Bhatia and Vijay Pandya. One of the accused, Rinku Khanuja, died by suicide after the case came to light.
Case That Altered Chhattisgarh’s Political Landscape
The CD scandal first surfaced in October 2017, when a purported compact disc allegedly involving then minister Rajesh Munat triggered a political storm. A complaint filed by BJP leader Prakash Bajaj led to the registration of an FIR at Pandri police station in Raipur, alleging blackmail and threats to circulate an obscene video.
The investigation later extended to Delhi, where authorities claimed the CD was produced. The probe eventually led to Vinod Verma, who investigators alleged was a key link in the network involved in the case. The investigation was later transferred to the CBI.
Political Fallout and “Main Bhi Bhupesh Hoon” Campaign
The arrest of Bhupesh Baghel and Vinod Verma in September 2018—just months before the state assembly elections—sparked massive protests by Congress supporters. The Congress party termed the action politically motivated. Baghel notably refused to seek immediate bail, turning his arrest into a major political issue.
The slogan “Main Bhi Bhupesh Hoon” (“I too am Bhupesh”) became a rallying cry for Congress workers across the state. Shortly thereafter, the Congress won a landslide victory in the 2018 assembly elections, securing 68 seats, and Bhupesh Baghel was sworn in as chief minister.
Political Tensions Rise Again
With the sessions court reviving the case and ordering a trial, the controversy has once again heated up Chhattisgarh’s political atmosphere. The upcoming hearing on February 23 is expected to be closely watched, as it could shape both the legal and political trajectory of the high-profile case.