New Delhi, August 5, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Monday directed former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son to approach the High Court to challenge Enforcement Directorate (ED) chargesheets filed in money laundering cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Baghel alleged that since 2019, the ED has filed six Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs) against him. These relate to alleged irregularities involving the Nagrik Apurti Nigam (PDS), income tax, District Mineral Fund, coal levy, and online betting operations in Chhattisgarh. He claimed that all six chargesheets were “incomplete” and left deliberately open-ended, keeping him and his son under constant threat of arrest.

Representing Baghel and his son, senior advocates A.M. Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi argued that the ED’s practice of filing incomplete chargesheets without completing investigations was unlawful. They stated that the agency failed to seek permission from magistrates for further inquiry, as required by law.

The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and J.B. Pardiwala, declined to entertain the plea directly. “You must move the High Court,” the bench said, pointing out that direct petitions to the apex court in such cases, especially by influential persons, were becoming frequent and problematic.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing in a related petition, challenged the constitutional validity of Sections 50 and 63 of the PMLA. He argued that these sections violate the fundamental right against self-incrimination under Article 20(3) of the Constitution, as they compel individuals to testify and submit documents under threat of penalty.

Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the ED, responded that the plea was not maintainable as Bhupesh Baghel was not named in any of the ECIRs directly.

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