Prime Accused in Journalist Mukesh Chandrakar Murder Case Apprehended in Hyderabad

Main Accused in Chhattisgarh Journalist Mukesh Chandrakar’s Murder Case Arrested in Hyderabad, Illegal Properties Demolished

In a major breakthrough, Chhattisgarh police arrested Suresh Chandrakar, the main accused in the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, late Sunday night in Hyderabad. The arrest follows an intense investigation into the case, which has shaken the state. Mukesh Chandrakar, a journalist known for exposing corruption and inefficiencies, was brutally murdered in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh.

Last week, police arrested three persons in the case: Suresh’s brothers, Ritesh and Dinesh Chandrakar along with construction supervisor Mahendra Ramteke on charges of involvement in the crime. After these arrests, the district administration demolished properties allegedly owned by Suresh, which they said were constructed illegally.

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As police investigations go to tell it, Ritesh Chandrakar led the murder with the assistance of Mahendra Ramteke, along with two brothers, Dinesh and Suresh. Tensions arose between Ritesh and Mukesh because Mukesh accused them of not doing good work on the construction of roads. The final words were fatal. “Ritesh was angry that Mukesh, despite being a family member, interfered in their work.”. This led to a heated argument and the subsequent crime,” said the officer.

Murder brings to the fore the risks journalists face in doing their job to expose corruption: Mukesh was a freelancer who had recently reported on sub-standard road construction work undertaken in Bijapur. The report prompted the state government to initiate an inquiry-a move, presumably, chiding to the accused. Suresh Chandrakar is one of the contractors on the project and had reportedly been offended by Mukesh’s actions.

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At a press conference on Saturday, Chhattisgarh Home Minister Sharma condemned the incident and stated that the government was committed to bringing out justice. “Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai has ordered strict cracking down of crimes and criminals in the state. Demolition by administration of illegal construction plant Suresh is like sending out an important message, said Sharma. The bulldozed estate, on over three acres of encroached forest land, served as a construction yard for road projects. Three of Suresh’s bank accounts have already been frozen by the authorities while other suspected assets are being looked into.

Mukesh’s body was found last Friday in a septic tank on Suresh’s residential property, a day after his brother reported him missing. This discovery highlights the perilous environment journalists face while seeking truth and accountability.

Mukesh used to work in mainstream media of NDTV, News 18. He further managed a famous YouTube channel-Bastar Junction which had close to 1.59 lakhs subscribers Anurag Dwary, Resdent Editor for NDTV on the death “He was writing with a microphone, not always knowing that even such an extraordinary moment can see death so close-when journalists will become targets or witnesses.”.

The case, in itself, shows the great urgency for greater protections of journalists and a more tenacious quest for justice.

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