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Mukesh Chandrakar

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Mukesh Chandrakar (1975 – January 1, 2025) was an Indian journalist from Chhattisgarh. He was allegedly murdered for exposing corruption in a road development project.

Background

Mukesh Chandrakar was born in 1975 in Basaguda in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh to his father and mother, an anganwadi worker. His family was displaced by the naxal violence and moved to a government shelter in Bijapur. After his father died when Mukesh was a child, he and his elder brother Yulesh were brought up by their mother. In 2013, she died of cancer. Mukesh completed his school education from Dantewada. Yukesh who worked as a freelance journalist which inspired him to take up the role himself.

Career as journalist

During his career, Chandrakar worked for several news channels like Nework18 Group and NDTV. He also has a YouTube channel, Bastar Junction. In 2021, Mukesh was among a group of seven journalists who helped security forces negotiate with Maoists to safely bring back a CoBRA jawan held captive in Tekalguda.

Murder and Investigation

On January 3, 2025, Chandrakar was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a shed owned by a contractor in Chhattisgarh's Bastar. According to preliminary reports, he was last seen returning home late at night after a reporting assignment. His family discovered his body the next morning and alerted authorities. According to a post-mortem report, Chandrakar was attacked with a heavy object and suffered severe injuries to his head, chest, back, and stomach. His body was identified through a tattoo on his hand.

The state government formed an 11-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by an IPS officer.

Three persons, including two of Chandrakar's relatives, have been arrested in the case. While his cousin, Ritesh Chandrakar, was arrested from Raipur airport, Mahendra Ramteke, a supervisor, and Dinesh Chandrakar, another relative of the victim, were taken into custody from Bijapur.

Reactions

The Press Association and the Editors Guild of India condemned the incident and urged the Chhattisgarh government to take steps to protect journalists, particularly those involved in field reporting and investigative journalism.

Editors Guild released a letter stating it was a matter of grave concern. “The young journalist’s death is a matter of grave concern as it raises suspicion of foul play.” the letter read.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, also the state’s home minister, alleged that the main accused, Suresh Chandrakar, is affiliated with the Indian National Congress and questioned the party’s links to recent criminal cases. Congress, however, countered with claims that Suresh was inducted into the Bharatiya Janata Party recently.

See also

References

  1. Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (2025-01-06). "Indian press groups call for investigation after journalist's body found in septic tank". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  2. ^ "From liquor seller and bike mechanic to a journalist with thriving YouTube channel, Mukesh Chandrakar's story was one of perseverance". The Indian Express. 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  3. "From liquor seller and bike mechanic to a journalist with thriving YouTube channel, Mukesh Chandrakar's story was one of perseverance". The Indian Express. 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  4. "Chhattisgarh journalist's body found in septic tank, day after brother reported him missing". The Indian Express. 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  5. "Key Accused In Chhattisgarh Journalist's Murder Arrested In Hyderabad". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  6. "Prime Accused In Chhattisgarh Journalist Mukesh Chandrakar's Death Taken to Custody". The Wire. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  7. "Prime Accused In Chhattisgarh Journalist Mukesh Chandrakar's Death Taken to Custody". The Wire. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  8. Sharma, Rishabh. "Chhattisgarh journalist killed after report on corruption: All we know". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
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