According to police, Chandrakar’s body was discovered with multiple injuries on his head and back. The police are investigating the case and have arrested three people in connection with the murder. His death has sent shockwaves in the region and among the journalists here.
According to reports, Chandrakar received a call from a local contractor’s cousin on January 1, after which he went missing. His phone was switched off shortly after at about 12:30 am on the same day. When he failed to return home, his family filed a missing person report with the police and started searching for him across the city.
Chandrakar is survived by his brother Yukesh, who is also a journalist. The duo brothers lost their parents when they were very young. Yukesh lodged the missing complaint on Thursday, January 2, after hours of waiting for his brother.
Chandrakar’s last known mobile location was tracked to the premises of a contractor, Suresh Chandrakar, in Chattanpara Basti, where authorities discovered a freshly sealed septic tank with concrete.
According to the Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, a special team was set up to trace him following the missing complaint. “We have launched a probe into the matter. The motive and modus operandi will become clearer only after the investigation,” the IG said.
Jitendra Yadav, Superintendent of Police, said that several people, including Suresh Chandrakar, were being questioned “because the body was found on his premises.”
Reportedly, the police are examining if Chandrakar’s death is linked to his recent stories. He was one of those credited by the state police in April 2021 with playing a vital part in securing the release of commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas of the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) CoBRA unit, who had been kidnapped by Maoists.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed condolences to the Chandrakar family and assured them that the culprit will not be spared. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “The news of the murder of Bijapur’s young and dedicated journalist Mukesh Chandrakar ji is extremely sad and heartbreaking.
“Mukesh ji’s departure is an irreparable loss for the journalism world and society. The culprit of this incident will not be spared under any circumstances. Instructions have been given to arrest the criminals as soon as possible and ensure they receive the harshest punishment.”
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
