The body of Mukesh Chandrakar, a 32-year-old freelance journalist known for exposing corruption in public construction projects, was discovered on Friday in a septic tank in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, days after he was reported missing by his family, BBC reported.
Police recovered his body from the compound of a road construction contractor after tracking his mobile phone. The tank, newly floored with concrete slabs, was located near a badminton court on the premises. Initial investigations suggest he died due to severe blunt-force injuries.
Three individuals, including two of Chandrakar’s relatives, have been arrested in connection with the case. However, one of the primary suspects, contractor Suresh Chandrakar, who is also related to the journalist, remains at large. Police suspect Mukesh’s recent reporting on a road construction scam, which had led to a police inquiry, might have been a motive for his murder.
The death has sparked outrage among journalists and media rights organizations across India. Local journalists in Bastar held protests demanding justice for Chandrakar and strict action against the perpetrators. The president of the Bastar Journalist Association, Manish Gupta, called the incident a “dark chapter” and urged authorities to improve the safety of journalists working in high-risk environments.
The Press Council of India has called for a detailed report from the Chhattisgarh government, while Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel termed the incident “heartbreaking.” He announced the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to expedite the case.
Mukesh Chandrakar, who ran the popular YouTube channel Bastar Junction, joins a growing list of journalists targeted for exposing corruption or environmental crimes. India is ranked 159 out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. The organization reports that an average of three to four journalists are killed annually in India due to their work.
On May 2022, journalist Subhash Kumar Mahto, who reported on illegal sand mining, was shot dead outside his home in Bihar. Over the past decade, 28 journalists in India have been killed for their reporting.
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