Raipur, September 28: The special CBI court here granted bail to Chhattisgarh Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel Thursday in the sex CD case which purportedly featured a state minister. Bhagel was sent to judicial remand for 14 days on September 24. The state Congress chief had earlier refused to apply for bail following the arrest. Judge Sumit Kapoor granted him bail on a personal bond and a surety of Rs 1 lakh each.

The state Congress chief was not allowed to leave the country without the court’s permission. However, The CBI lawyer opposed Baghel’s leave. He said that being president of the state unit of the main opposition party, could influence witnesses and tamper with evidence. A large number of Congress workers greeted Baghel after he came out of the Central Jail. Baghel accused the BJP of targeting him and said that he was falsely implicated in the case.

However, BJP's state in-charge Anil Jain alleged that the Congress was working with a "criminal mindset" after realising that it does not have any future in the coming assembly polls. The other two accused in the case, journalist Vinod Verma and Bhilai-based businessman Vijay Bhatia were granted bail on September 24.

In October 2017, a controversy broke out in the state after a 'porn video', allegedly featuring Public Works Department Minister Rajesh Munat surfaced. Munat lodged a complaint against Baghel and Verma at the Civil Lines police station in Raipur for allegedly tarnishing his image through the "fake CD". The assembly elections are scheduled in the state later this year. As the elections are drawing near, the political atmosphere in the Chattisgarh is heating up. The Congress is confident of getting two-third majority in the state.

(With inputs from PTI)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 28, 2018 07:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).