Mukesh Chandrakar Murder: Media Unions Demand Justice

 At least 28 journalists have been killed in India since 2014, while investigations and prosecutions have been inadequate, forcing their families to endure prolonged and frustrating legal battles in courts

By Kamran Khan

The Press Club of India, Delhi, has expressed deep shock and condemnation over the brutal murder of freelance journalist, Mukesh Chandrakar, based in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. Chandrakar, who was known for his investigative journalism and had exposed cases of corruption, also reported on tribal rights and insurgent violence in the conflict-ridden Bastar region. He was found dead on January 3, 2025. His body was discovered in a septic tank on a contractor’s property in Bijapur, after he had been reported missing since January 1, 2025.

The Press Club of India in Delhi has demanded immediate and urgent time-bound action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime. In a statement, the club called on the Press Council of India to take cognisance of the matter and urged the state government to take appropriate action. The statement also extended sincere condolences to Chandrakar’s family and friends.

Chandrakar, 31, ran a popular YouTube channel called Bastar Junction and contributed to several media outlets, where he shed light on the grassroots issues facing the impoverished and marginalised tribal communities in Bastar, as well as on the pervasive corruption and violence prevailant in the region sine decades. His reporting had often put him at odds with local power structures, making him a target of repeated attacks.

The Press Club of India emphasized that attacks on journalists working in conflict  zones like Bastar and other areas, have become disturbingly common. The latest tragedy underscores the growing climate of impunity surrounding such incidents. “The impunity with which these crimes are committed is absolutely unacceptable. The state government must act immediately to ensure that such incidents are not repeated,” it stated.

The Press Club has further called on the Chhattisgarh government to address the longstanding demand of local journalists for a specific law to protect journalists in the state. The increasing risks faced by journalists in the region have highlighted the need for stronger safeguards and support systems for those reporting from inside difficult conflict zones.

In a show of solidarity, it has has announced plans to hold a condolence and protest meeting on the club’s premises in Delhi, early next week. Journalists, especially those with experience of covering the Bastar region, have been urged to attend, share their experiences on the ground, and show their support.

The murder of Chandrakar serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists working in conflict areas, and the pressing need for stronger protection measures to safeguard the freedom of the media, and the lives of those reporting on the ground in difficult conditions.

The beginning of 2025 has already been marked by the tragic murder of Mukesh Chandrakar, which has sent shock waves among the journalism community. The National Alliance of Journalists (NAJ), the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ), the Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists Federation (APWJF), and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ, Delhi unit) have issued a joint press release expressing their grief and shock over the killing of Chandrakar, a young stringer for NDTV who ran a popular YouTube channel, Bastar Junction.

They demanded a thorough investigation into this crime and insisted that those responsible be swiftly and severely punished. Journalists in Chhattisgarh face significant dangers, often caught between the pressure of State authorities and Maoist groups. The lack of protection and insufficient measures to prevent violence against the media leave journalists highly vulnerable in a difficult and inaccessible terrain.

Chandrakar was reportedly murdered since he had exposed large-scale corruption in the construction of a village road in Bastar. Given the breadth of his reporting and commentary on sensitive issues in the region, a comprehensive investigation is needed, it was stated.  The Unions requested that Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai should immediately initiate action, while journalists are eagerly awaiting concrete steps in response. Additionally, they demanded compensation for the grieving family.

They emphasised not to forget that at least 28 journalists have been killed in India since 2014, stating that in most cases, investigations and prosecutions have been inadequate, forcing families to endure prolonged and frustrating legal battles in courts.

According to a ANI report published on January 6, 2025, has said that the main suspect in the murder of the journalist has been arrested. The suspect, who has been evading capture since the crime, was detained by authorities.

Bastar Police has confirmed that the accused, Suresh Chandrakar, was arrested in Hyderabad on January 7, 2025, by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). He is currently being interrogated. Mukesh Chandrakar’s body was discovered in a septic tank on the property of private contractor, Suresh Chandrakar, who has been implicated in the case. Three individuals—Ritesh Chandrakar, Dinesh Chandrakar and Mahendra—have already been arrested in connection with the murder.

According to a report in NDTV, “The man accused of masterminding the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, whose body was discovered in a septic tank in Chhattisgarh last week, was arrested in Hyderabad on Sunday night. Suresh Chandrakar, a distant relative of the journalist and a contractor, had been on the run since the crime was uncovered.” 

The report stated that according to the police, Suresh Chandrakar has been hiding at his driver’s residence in Hyderabad. To locate him, authorities reviewed footage from 200 CCTV cameras and traced around 300 mobile numbers.

A post-mortem report revealed that Mukesh was struck with a heavy object, causing severe injuries to his head, chest, back and stomach. His identity was confirmed through a tattoo on his hand.

Three individuals, including two of Chandrakar’s relatives, have been arrested. His cousin, Ritesh Chandrakar, was apprehended at Raipur airport on Saturday, January 4, while Mahendra Ramteke, a supervisor, and Dinesh Chandrakar, another relative of the victim, were detained in Bijapur.

How was Mukesh Chandrakar murdered? The initial investigation showed that the journalist’s cousin, Ritesh, and the supervisor, Mahendra, were responsible for attacking Chandrakar with an iron rod, killing him on the spot, after an argument broke out between them during dinner. The two of them subsequently concealed the body in a septic tank, sealing it with cement to hide the crime. They disposed of his phone and the iron rod with which they killed him.

Picture above: Screenshot NDTV.