Twist in journalist’s murder: Key accused identified as Mukesh Chandrakar’s cousin
CHHATTISGARH, JAN 4 : The key accused in the murder of the Chhattisgarh journalist, whose body was recovered from a septic tank, has been identified as his own cousin. Ritesh Chandrakar was among three arrested for the murder of Mukesh Chandrakar, a 28-year-old journalist known for his hard-hitting investigative reports.
Mukesh recently exposed alleged corruption in a Rs 120-crore road construction project from Gangalur to Hiroli in the Bastar region. The project, whose initial tender was worth Rs 50 crore, saw it escalating to Rs 120 crore without any changes to the scope of work. The project was being handled by contractor Suresh Chandrakar.
Mukesh’s expose prompted the state government to initiate an inquiry, creating ripples in the contractor lobby of the region.
Ritesh, who is the brother of Suresh Chandrakar, allegedly arranged a meeting of the contractor with Mukesh on the night of January 1. Following the meeting, Mukesh’s phone went offline, and he was reported missing by his elder brother, Yukesh Chandrakar.
The journalist’s body was discovered two days later in a septic tank on a property owned by Suresh in Chattanpara, where he was last seen.
Police have arrested three suspects, including Ritesh, and another family member, Dinesh Chandrakar. However, Suresh, the contractor at the centre of the corruption scandal, remains at large.
Police sources indicated that Mukesh and Ritesh shared a history of camaraderie, frequently meeting at the property where the journalist’s body was found. Despite their apparent closeness, Mukesh’s work exposing corruption in the road project had strained relationships.
While no direct threats were made to Mukesh’s family, tensions reportedly simmered after his investigation.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to X and condoled the death of the journalist. She also asked the BJP-led state government to take strict and immediate action against the culprits.
“The news of the murder of Bastar, Chhattisgarh journalist Mukesh Chandrakar is shocking. According to reports, Mukesh was brutally murdered after he exposed corruption in his report. I demand from the state government that strict and immediate action should be taken in this case, the culprits should be given severe punishment and proper compensation and job should be considered for the family of the deceased,” she posted.
Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe Mukesh Chandrakar’s death. Police have also sezied three bank accounts of contractor Suresh Chandrakar.
Journalists under the banner of Raipur Press Club staged a protest in Raipur against the murder of Mukesh Chandrakar.
The case has drawn attention to the notorious contractor lobby in Bastar, often accused of using influence and intimidation to silence dissent. Journalists in the region, especially those covering corruption, are frequently subjected to harassment and threats.
Mukesh began his journalism career in 2012 and later founded his YouTube channel, Bastar Junction, which has over 1.59 lakh subscribers. A resident of Basaguda village in Bijapur, he was known for his fearless reporting on local issues.
The state government has assured a thorough investigation into the case. Meanwhile, police continue their search for Suresh Chandrakar and are questioning several suspects linked to the case.
-PTI
