Jan 04, 2025 08:54 AM IST
Mukesh Chandrakar played a key role in securing the release of CRPF personnel abducted by Maoists after an encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur in 2021.
The body of 28-year-old journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, who had been reported missing, was found in a septic tank on a contractor’s property in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur on Friday, police said. A murder case has been filed, and several suspects have been taken into custody for questioning.
NDTV, citing the Bijapur Police, reported that Mukesh’s body was discovered in a septic tank that had been freshly sealed with concrete.
Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his condolences, saying, “The news of the murder of Bijapur’s young and dedicated journalist Mukesh Chandrakar ji is very sad and heartbreaking. Mukesh ji’s demise is an irreparable loss for journalism and society.”
He added, “The culprit will not be spared under any circumstances. I have given instructions to arrest the criminals as soon as possible and ensure the harshest punishment for them.”
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Mukesh was last seen on the evening of January 1. His elder brother, Yukesh Chandrakar, a television journalist, filed a missing person report with the police the following day. Based on mobile tracking, police located Mukesh’s body on the property of contractor Suresh Chandrakar in Chattanpara Basti.
Yukesh’s complaint mentioned a recent story Mukesh had reported, highlighting alleged irregularities in the construction of a road from Gangaloor to Nelasanar village. The report prompted an investigation into the project, and Yukesh cited threats from three individuals, including contractor Suresh Chandrakar.
A police statement issued on Friday, cited by The Hindu revealed that the post-mortem report is pending. Bijapur superintendent of police Jitendra Yadav informed the media that the compound where the body was discovered was used for housing workers and playing badminton.
However, he did not provide details regarding any suspects or the motive for the murder, stating that the investigation is still in its early stages.
Who was Mukesh Chandrakar?
- Mukesh Chandrakar played a key role in securing the release of CRPF personnel abducted by Maoists after an encounter in Bijapur in 2021. He was credited by the state police for his crucial involvement in the release of CRPF commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas. Mukesh extensively reported on Naxal attacks, encounters, and other issues affecting Bastar.
- With a decade of journalistic experience, Mukesh worked as a stringer for a prominent national news channel and ran a popular YouTube channel, Bastar Junction, which had over 159,000 subscribers.
- “As a journalist, my colleague paid the ultimate price for exposing the truth. It is a stark reminder of the risks journalists take daily in pursuit of accountability. We stand in solidarity with his family, and we demand a swift and impartial investigation to bring those responsible to justice. His sacrifice will not be in vain, and we will continue his fight for transparency and justice,” Anurag Dwary, the resident editor of the national news channel, told HT.
- His channel featured videos on various aspects of the conflict between the State and the Maoists, as well as highlighting issues important to the tribal community.
- Mukesh used his extensive network to assist other journalists from the state capital, Raipur, and across the country in their reporting efforts.
- Journalists from Bastar have condemned his murder, saying that it brings attention to the daily challenges faced by journalists in the region.
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