lucky horse Chhattisgarh Journalist Murder: Was Mukesh Chandrakar Killed To Silence His Investigations?

The lifeless body of Mukesh Chandrakarlucky horse, a journalist from Maoist hotbed of Bijapur, was discovered from a septic tank on January 3, 2025. The 33-year-old had been missing since January 1 night. Known for his fearless reporting on local issues, including exposing corruption in government contracts, Mukesh's death has sent shockwaves through the region. 

Mukesh worked as a freelance journalist for NDTV and owner a YouTube channel called Bastar Junction, where he covered local news from the region. He once played a key role in securing the release of abducted policemen and villagers held by Maoists. The police have arrested three individuals in connection with the case, and one of them is said to be a member of extended family. The prime accused, Ritesh Chandrakar, the deceased's one of the cousins, was absconding after the incident.

Mukesh's elder brother, Umesh Chandrakar, a fellow TV journalist, said that the deceased had been missing since the evening of January 1. Umesh initially thought his brother had gone out on a reporting assignment. However, when Mukesh’s phone was found switched off the next morning, concerns grew in the family. "I last met Mukesh on the evening of January 1. He went missing since the next morning. His phone was off. I began calling his acquaintances. When I could not trace him, I filed a police report in the evening," he said.

India had also emerged victors in the Olympics bronze play-off three years ago in Tokyo. Goalie PR Sreejesh was the hero then in a pulsating 5-4 win over Germany, whom the Indians narrowly lost to in the Paris 2024 semi-finals.

Umesh said that a contractor, Suresh Chandrakar, was supposed to meet Mukesh on January 1 evening. Mukesh had previously reported on alleged corruption in road construction projects carried out by the contractor. Umesh suspected the contractor’s involvement when his brother's last phone location pointed to a camp set up by Suresh and others.

"Following his expose on corruption in the road construction project, the state government announced a probe. After Mukesh went missing, we checked his laptop and traced his phone’s last known location that pointed to a workers' camp set up by Dinesh Chandrakar, Suresh Chandrakar and Ritesh Chandrakar. This raised my suspicions," said Umesh.

In his complaint to the police, he has raised doubt that the contractor trio might have been involved in his brother's alleged murder.

Suresh Chandrakar, the contractor from whose premises Mukesh’s body was found, is said to be a well-known person in Bastar. He is involved in major government construction and mining projects and is also the state vice-president of the Chhattisgarh Congress's Scheduled Caste (SC) wing. He was appointed the observer for the Navapur constituency during the Maharashtra elections.

Suresh rose from a poor background and became one of the top contractors in Maoist-affected areas. He grabbed headlines in December 2021 for his extravagant wedding in Bijapur, where he arranged a private helicopter for his bride's family and hired Russian dancers.

Bastar Inspector General of Police Sundar Raj P. said a special team has been formed to investigate the case post receiving a complaint from the deceased's brother. "We found his body in a septic tank at the premises of contractor Suresh Chandrakar in Chattan Para Basti on Friday evening. We are interrogating suspects in connection with the case," he said, adding that the probe is ongoing based on Mukesh's last known cell phone's location and call records.

The police, during the investigation, noticed a freshly poured concrete slab in the residential complex built by contractor Suresh Chandrakar for his workers. It was discovered that the old septic tank's lid had been sealed with concrete just two days back. As the tank's lid was broken open, Mukesh's body was found submerged in water and had signs of severe injuries.

The Press Club of India has issued a statement, condemning the alleged murder and calling for a prompt investigation and swift action against the perpetrators. The journalists' body also urged the Press Council of India to take note of the incident and demand the state government take appropriate steps.

The murder has sparked a political confrontation between the Opposition Congress and the incumbent BJP, with the latter accusing the former of complicity due to the contractor’s affiliation with the party. On the other hand, the Congress is criticising the BJP for the deteriorating law and order in the state.

Party president Deepak Baij stated, "Under BJP rule, journalists are paying with their lives for their work. The discovery of Mukesh's body in a septic tank is horrific. It shows the collapse of law and order in the state."

The BJP Chhattisgarh responded, saying, "Is the contractor a Congress-linked contract killer? The prime accused, contractor Suresh Chandrakar, is closely associated with the Congress. Deepak Baij even made him the state secretary of the SC Morcha. Various crimes are being peddled from this so-called Congress shop."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai took to X (formerly Twitter) to express shock and sorrowlucky horse, "The news of the murder of young and dedicated journalist Mukesh Chandrakar is extremely tragic. His loss is an irreparable blow to journalism and society. We have instructed that the criminals be arrested and given the harshest punishment."