Chhattisgarh: Three individuals have been detained in connection with the murder of a journalist in Bijapur.
Mukesh is a freelance journalist who has worked for news channels like NDTV and runs a YouTube channel called 'Bastar Junction', which has approximately 159,000 subscribers.
Arpit Pattnaik
Three individuals have been detained in connection with the murder of a 33-year-old journalist, whose body was discovered in a septic tank on a local contractor’s property in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, police announced on Saturday.
Mukesh Chandrakar, a freelance journalist, went missing on January 1, and his body was located on Friday in a septic tank on the property owned by contractor Suresh Chandrakar, situated in Chattanpara Basti in Bijapur town. An official stated, “Three persons have been detained in connection with the murder and are currently being interrogated.” However, the police did not disclose their names, indicating that further details would be released later.
Mukesh worked as a freelance journalist for various news channels, including NDTV, and managed a YouTube channel called ‘Bastar Junction,’ which boasts approximately 159,000 subscribers. He played a critical role in securing the release of CoBRA commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas from Maoist captivity in April 2021, following the Takalguda Naxal ambush that resulted in the deaths of 22 security personnel.
Mukesh was reported missing on Wednesday evening, prompting his elder brother, Yukesh Chandrakar, to file a complaint with the police the following day. By tracking Mukesh’s mobile number, the police located the property owned by Suresh Chandrakar and discovered the body in a septic tank, which had recently been sealed with a concrete slab.
Authorities suspect that the murder may be related to a recent report detailing irregularities in road construction work in the district that Mukesh had investigated. Suresh Chandrakar is believed to be involved in this work.
In response to the murder, journalists held a symbolic road blockade at Hospital Chowk on National Highway 36, demanding the attachment of the contractor’s properties in the Bastar division, including Bijapur, and the registration of a case against him. They also called for a death sentence for the contractor and others implicated in the crime, the removal of his security detail, and the freezing of his bank accounts, among other demands. Additionally, the protesting journalists sought the suspension or transfer of the Bijapur superintendent of police.
Protesters have warned of an indefinite road blockade starting Sunday if their demands are not addressed. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai assured on Friday that the culprits would be apprehended as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, members of the Raipur Press Club gathered at Jai Stambh Chowk on Friday, demanding justice for Mukesh's murder and requesting that the state government form a special investigation team to look into the case.
