In a major legal reversal, a special CBI court in Raipur has overturned the magistrate court’s decision to discharge former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel from the high-profile obscene video case linked to ex-Cabinet Minister Rajesh Munat. The Saturday ruling not only revives the case against Baghel but also dismisses appeals by other accused, including Kailash Murarka, Vinod Verma, and Vijay Bhatia, challenging the trial court’s framing of charges.
The controversy traces back to 2017, when allegations surfaced that fabricated obscene videos of Munat were created and circulated to tarnish his reputation ahead of elections. Chhattisgarh Police registered FIRs based on complaints from Munat and BJP leader Prakash Bajaj, leading to the cases being handed over to the CBI. The agency filed a chargesheet and supplementary chargesheet naming six individuals, including Baghel, then Congress state president.
The CBI court emphasized sufficient prima facie evidence to proceed to trial, rejecting Baghel’s discharge plea outright. This means Baghel will now face formal charges unless a higher court intervenes. The case gained notoriety when journalist Vinod Verma was arrested from Ghaziabad, claiming the videos were being used politically against the BJP government.
Legal experts view this as a setback for Baghel, who has vehemently denied involvement, calling it a smear campaign. The development intensifies political tensions in Chhattisgarh, with the BJP hailing the verdict as vindication of their long-standing accusations. As proceedings advance, all eyes are on how this unfolds in the corridors of justice and its ripple effects on state politics.
The CBI’s investigation revealed attempts at blackmail, with an anonymous caller threatening to viral a video unless ransom demands were met. This intricate web of alleged character assassination underscores the cutthroat nature of electoral battles in the state.