Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, who had searched former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel’s premises in a money laundering investigation against his son in the alleged liquor scam case, were attacked by a group of people.

Officials alleged the attackers were Congress workers, who were upset over the searches at Mr Baghel’s premises.

The car of a deputy director-level ED officer was also attacked, sources said.

Visuals of the attack show a large group of people surrounding the ED officers and hitting them.

The premises of Mr Baghel’s son Chaitanya Baghel in Bhilai, aide Laxmi Narayan Bansal alias Pappu Bansal, and some others were searched under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), sources said.

Chaitanya Baghel shares the Bhilai accommodation with his father and so the premises were being covered. Chaitanya Baghel is suspected to be the “recipient” of the proceeds of crime of the liquor scam, they said.

About 14-15 premises were searched in the state, they said.

A monitoring group says 973 civilians have been killed in revenge attacks against the Alawite sect since Thursday. 

​A monitoring group says 973 civilians have been killed in revenge attacks against the Alawite sect since Thursday.  

Two youths from Haryana and Punjab have been kidnapped in Guatemala, prompting their families to seek urgent help from the Indian government. Yuvraj Singh, one of the victims, was traveling to the US through an agent but was held hostage, with kidnappers demanding a $20,000 ransom. A distressing video shows the youths being tortured. Authorities have escalated the matter, and an investigation is underway to take action against those responsible.