RAIPUR: Mukesh Chandrakar, a prominent 33-year-old journalist from Bastar, was found murdered on Friday, days after he went missing on New Year’s Day. His body was discovered in a septic tank on the premises of a road contractor in the insurgency-affected Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.
In protest of the killing, journalists in Bijapur have called for a complete shutdown.
Mukesh, who contributed to leading TV channels including NDTV, was known for his courageous reporting from the conflict zone of Bastar. He had played a key role in securing the release of a CoBRA commando held hostage by Maoists after the Tekulguda massacre in April 2021, in which 29 security personnel were killed.
Authorities believe Mukesh’s murder may be linked to his recent investigation into an alleged road construction scam in Bijapur. The report had reportedly led to an inquiry into some local contractors, with police sources suggesting the crime could be retaliation.
Mukesh was last heard from on January 1, after receiving a call from a local contractor. He informed a colleague in Raipur about the call but was not heard from again. When he failed to return home, his brother, Yugesh, raised an alarm and filed a police complaint.
His mobile phone location led police to the home of contractor Suresh Chandrakar at Chattanpara Basti, where his body was found in a septic tank that had recently been sealed with a concrete slab.
Bastar police have identified the contractor as the primary suspect and are actively searching for him. “Teams are investigating, and the contractor is our first suspect,” a police officer said.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed his condolences via Twitter: “The news of the murder of dedicated journalist Mukesh Chandrakar is heart-breaking. The culprit will not be spared.”
The Bastar Journalist Association, led by President Manish Gupta, called the killing a “dark chapter” for the media. “Targeting a journalist is a serious safety concern for all of us. Working in Bastar is already a challenge, and it’s the responsibility of the police, government, and society to ensure the safety of journalists. Today, the foundation of journalistic ethics has been shaken,” Gupta said, demanding strict action against those responsible for the crime.
Meanwhile, members of the Raipur Press Club gathered at Jai Stambh Chowk on Friday evening, voicing their outrage and calling for justice for the slain journalist.
