The gruesome murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh has sparked national outrage, highlighting the perils faced by reporters in discharging their duties. Chandrakar’s exposé on a Rs 120-crore road project seems to have cost him his life. A report by Mudit Mathur
The gruesome murder of a Bastar-based TV journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh has triggered a nation-wide protests over the security of journalists who are continuing to become soft targets after exposing scams and corruption while truthfully discharging their duties. The chilling murder of a young journalist Chandrakar has sent shockwaves across the country. In 2024, the IFJ confirmed the killings of 122 journalists globally, with three verified cases in India of Ashutosh Srivastava, Shivshankar Jha, and Salman Ali Khan.
Mukesh, who worked for a local news channel, had recently exposed alleged corruption in a Rs 120-crore road construction project in Bastar. His report on corruption was aired on NDTV on December 25, which might have been the reason behind the murder because his investigative story prompted the government to institute an inquiry into the contractor’s activities. His dead body was recovered on January 3 in a septic tank at a property owned by contractor Suresh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district who was later tracked down and arrested by police.
The police launched a search for Mukesh after his elder brother, Yukesh Chandrakar, reported him missing. Mukesh was reported missing on January 1, last seen at a meeting organised by the contractor’s brother Ritesh Chandrakar at the property where his body was later recovered. The police have arrested three suspects, including Ritesh and another of Suresh’s brothers, Dinesh.
Using CCTV footage and mobile location data, the police officers located Mukesh’s body in a septic tank concealed by a newly laid cement slab. Mukesh’s death is being investigated for links to his recent investigative reports. The government has formed an 11-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by IPS officer Mayank Gurjar, to probe the case thoroughly.
The case has ignited political tensions, with BJP and Congress trading accusations. Deputy Chief Minister Sharma, who also holds the state’s home department, alleged that the main accused, Suresh Chandrakar, is affiliated with the Congress and questioned the party’s links to recent criminal cases. The Congress, however, countered the charge by claiming that Suresh in fact had been inducted into the BJP. The Congress spokesperson, Sushil Anand Shukla, pointed to photos of Suresh with senior BJP leaders and demanded the release of CCTV footage from the Chief Minister’s residence, which Suresh allegedly visited days before the murder.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed sorrow over Mukesh’s death, describing it as a “profound loss to journalism and society”. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the chief minister said, “The news of the murder of young and dedicated journalist Mukesh Chandrakar of Bijapur is extremely sad and heartbreaking. The demise of Mukesh Ji is an irreparable loss to the world of journalism and society.”
Mukesh Chandrakar worked as a freelance journalist for news channels, including NDTV, and ran a YouTube channel, ‘Bastar Junction,’ which has some 1.59 lakh subscribers. He was known for his fearless reporting from the interiors of Bastar, even playing a role in securing the release of a CRPF commando abducted by Maoists in 2021.
The International Federation of Journalists in a statement said, “It is tragic that journalists pay a price with their lives for doing their job and exposing the malaise of corruption. While the State Home Department has set up SIT to prove the case, Suresh’s illegal shed was demolished and four of his bank accounts have been frozen, the IJU feel it was not enough. Harshest punishment be meted to the accused, not only Suresh’s contracts be cancelled but all those in government involved must be investigated.”
The Press Association and the Editors Guild of India also strongly condemned the killing of a television journalist in Chhattisgarh and demanded that the state government conduct a thorough investigation into the case.
