A 33-year-old Bastar journalist named Mukesh Chandrakar was discovered dead in a septic tank. His body was reportedly traced on the premises of a road contractor, Suresh Chandrakar, on Friday, January 3. The investigation is still ongoing with the post-mortem of the body currently taking place.
The death of Mukesh, who went missing on New Year’s day, has led journalists to call a total shutdown in Bijapur, the district where the body was found. His last traced action was when he called a journalist in Raipur sharing about a call he received from a local contractor, according to Reports. After not returning home, his brother Yogesh Chandrakar filed the missing report with the police authorities.
Who is Mukesh Chandrakar?
Mukesh, who contributed to NDTV and started his own channel (Bastar Junction) on Youtube, was known for his insightful field reports. He was the prime individual involved in the release of the CoBRA commando abducted by Maoists following the Tekulguda massacre of April 2021.
Image Credits: Youtube/ Bastar Junction
Results of Murder Investigation So Far
Authorities are now looking into the district's contractors after Mukesh was involved in an alleged road construction scam. “His mobile location was traced to the house of contractor Suresh Chandrakar at Chattanpara Basti. His body was found in a septic tank which was freshly cast with a concrete slab,” Bastar police said, according to TOI.
Reacting to Mukesh’s demise, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai tweeted, “The news of murder of young and dedicated journalist Mukesh Chandrakar of Bijapur is extremely sad and heart-breaking.”
Image Credit: Twitter/ @vishnudsai
The CM added, “The demise of Mukesh Ji is an irreparable loss to the world of journalism and society. The culprit of this incident will not be spared under any circumstances. We have given instructions to arrest the criminals as soon as possible and give them the harshest punishment.”
“I pray to God to give place to the departed soul in his feet and provide strength to the bereaved family in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” CM Vishnu Deo Sai concluded.
Rising Concerns Over Journalist Safety
The murder has sent shockwaves through Chhattisgarh’s journalist community, particularly in the Bastar region. Manish Gupta, head of the Bastar Journalist Association, described it as a “dark chapter” in the history of the media in that region.
“A journalist being targeted is a major safety concern for all of us. The roots of journalism ethics have been shaken today,” he said, according to sources ,
demanding strict action against those involved in the murder.
Local journalists have emphasized that Mukesh's work on investigating corruption in road construction projects might have made him vulnerable to threats. His dedication to uncovering the truth through investigative journalism had earned him respect among his peers and the local community.
The police have formed special teams to investigate all angles of the case, with particular focus on Mukesh’s recent reportage and his professional connections. Sources close to the investigation reveal that multiple individuals have been questioned, and the authorities are examining call records and CCTV footage from the area where Mukesh was last seen.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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