 "Mukesh's body was found inside a water tank on Suresh’s property in Chattanpara Basti. Image courtesy: X/@MukeshChandrak9")
Mukesh Chandrakar, a 28-year-old journalist from Chhattisgarh, was found dead in the Bijapur district on January 3.
Missing for two days, his body was found in a septic tank at a property owned by Suresh Chandrakar in Chattanpara Basti.
Days after the incident, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested Suresh, who is the prime suspect, in Hyderabad.
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An autopsy revealed that Mukesh had been brutally tortured before being murdered. Suresh, who is a relative of Mukesh, had fled Chhattisgarh after the incident came to light and caused an outrage.
What Chhattisgarh journalist’s autopsy reveals
The postmortem examination of Mukesh revealed the brutal nature of his murder, with findings including 15 fractures to his head, a broken neck, and his heart ripped out.
The report further revealed that his liver had been split into four pieces, while five ribs and neck bones were broken.
Notably, the bone in one of his hands was fractured, and his heart suffered extensive damage. There were over 15 injuries on his head, according to The Week. After the murder, contractor Suresh disposed of Mukesh’s body in a septic tank.
Citing the postmortem report, Newslaundry reported that Mukesh was attacked with a heavy object, resulting in severe injuries to his head, chest, back, and stomach. His body was identified by a tattoo on his hand.
Doctors who conducted the autopsy admitted that they had not seen such a horrific case in their 12-year careers. According to India Today, the doctors found four pieces of liver five broken ribs, 15 fractures to the head, a broken neck, and the removal of his heart.
Medical experts said that more than two individuals might have been involved in the murder.
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What did the accused do to the body?
According to NDTV, preliminary investigations revealed that Mukesh’s cousin, Ritesh, and a supervisor, Mahendra, attacked him with an iron rod, killing him during an argument over dinner.
To cover up the crime, the duo hid Mukesh’s body in a septic tank and sealed it with cement. They also disposed of the iron rod used in the murder and Mukesh’s mobile phone to destroy evidence.
It was alleged that Dinesh Chandrakar oversaw the cementing of the tank, while Suresh was believed to have devised the plan to cover up the murder, the report said.
What Mukesh Chandrakar actually found
Mukesh, a freelance journalist and a contributing reporter for NDTV, ran a YouTube channel called Bastar Junction, which has nearly 1.59 lakh subscribers.
A news report aired on NDTV on December 25, which revealed alleged corruption in a road construction project in Bijapur, is now being discussed as the potential motive behind his murder.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said at a press conference that Mukesh’s report on the poor road construction had led the government to order an inquiry into the project.
Suresh Chandrakar, one of the contractors involved in the project, allegedly became upset with Mukesh for his report, The Indian Express reported.
On December 25, Mukesh’s elder brother, Yukesh Chandrakar, filed a missing person report after Mukesh’s phone remained switched off following a meeting arranged by Suresh’s brother, Ritesh, at one of the contractor’s properties.
Mukesh’s body was then found inside a water tank on Suresh’s property in Chattanpara on January 3, where he had been last seen.
The SIT formed to investigate the case arrested Suresh Chandrakar from Hyderabad late on Sunday night. He was brought to Bijapur for interrogation the following morning.
Three other individuals - Ritesh, Dinesh Chandrakar, and Mahendra - were also arrested in connection with the murder.
Soon, allegations surfaced about the accused being involved with the Congress party, though former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel claimed that Suresh had switched to the BJP years ago.
Authorities have taken action against the illegal properties and encroachments of the accused. A construction yard built by Suresh on forest land along the Bijapur-Gangaloor Road was demolished, according to local officials.
The police have also begun freezing the bank accounts of Suresh and the other accused, with three of Suresh’s accounts already on hold.
Mukesh had also played a key role in securing the release of CoBRA commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas from Maoist captivity in April 2021 after the Takalguda Naxal ambush in Bijapur, where 22 security personnel were killed.
The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) is a specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) focused on jungle warfare.
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Tributes pour in
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his condolences, calling Mukesh’s death an “irreparable loss to journalism and society.”
“The news of the murder of Bijapur’s young and dedicated journalist, Mukesh Chandrakar ji is very sad and heartbreaking… 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,” Sai wrote on X.
The Communist Party of India (Maoist), a banned organisation, also condemned Mukesh’s murder and called for a thorough investigation. Praising him for exposing corruption in road construction projects, the outfit said that the journalist fulfilled his duty by addressing issues related to the people, politics, and culture.
Members of the Mahar community held a candle march in condemnation of the murder, demanding capital punishment for the accused. Journalists also protested at the Raipur Press Club on Saturday, calling for strict action against those responsible.
The Press Council of India (PCI) expressed concern over the killing, with PCI Chairperson Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai taking suo motu cognisance of the case. She called for a report on the facts of the case from the state government.
The Press Association and the Editors Guild of India also condemned the murder and urged the state government to conduct a thorough investigation.
Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, while speaking to ANI, said that Mukesh was reporting on efforts to establish peace and combat Naxalism in Bastar.
“Mukesh Chandrakar was covering the areas of inner Bastar, Bastar Junction, for establishing peace in Bastar, for ending the naxalism from Bastar. This murder happened through the conspiracy of Congress leader Suresh Chandrakar, the police immediately took action and registered an FIR. An 11-member SIT has been formed,” he said.
With inputs from agencies