Suresh Chandrakar, the prime suspect in the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh, was apprehended by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Hyderabad on Sunday. A postmortem report unveiled the brutal nature of the crime, revealing that the victim suffered 15 fractures to his head, a broken neck, and had his heart removed.
Journalist Mukesh Chandrakar (Image credit: Twitter)
Suresh Chandrakar, a contractor, is alleged to be the mastermind behind the murder, which is believed to have been orchestrated after the journalist exposed his alleged involvement in corrupt practices. He had been evading arrest since the incident surfaced on January 3.
The postmortem examination of the 28-year-old journalist disclosed severe injuries, including four pieces of liver, five fractured ribs, 15 head fractures, a broken neck, and a missing heart. The doctors conducting the examination remarked that they had never encountered such a case in their 12 years of practice.
Medical experts suggested that the crime likely involved more than two perpetrators.
The Communist Party of India (Maoist), a banned organization, condemned the killing and called for a comprehensive investigation. The group praised Mukesh Chandrakar for his efforts in exposing corruption in road construction projects in Chhattisgarh and for his commitment to addressing issues related to society, politics, and culture.
Body of Mukesh Chandrakar Discovered in Septic Tank
On January 3, the body of Mukesh Chandrakar, a journalist working with a local news channel, was discovered in a septic tank on the property of Suresh Chandrakar, a man Mukesh had recently exposed for corruption in Chhattisgarh.
Mukesh, who had been missing since the night of January 1, had conducted an investigation into Suresh, revealing alleged irregularities in a Rs 120-crore road construction project in Bastar. His expose had led the state government to launch an inquiry into the contractor's activities.
Yukesh Chandrakar, Mukesh's elder brother, filed a missing person report after Mukesh's phone was turned off following a meeting organized by Ritesh Chandrakar, Suresh's brother, at one of the contractor's properties.
So far, three people have been arrested, including Dinesh and Ritesh Chandrakar, the brothers of Suresh. Suresh remains on the run, while the police are questioning several suspects, including individuals from the contractor's circle.
Who was Mukesh Chandrakar?
Mukesh Chandrakar was a prominent journalist in Chhattisgarh, known for his role in securing the release of a CoBRA commando abducted by Maoists in 2021.
Reacting to his tragic death, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his sorrow and vowed that the perpetrators would face justice.
The heartbreaking news of Mukesh Chandrakar's murder, a dedicated and passionate journalist from Bijapur, has left the community in shock and grief. Sai tweeted, “The perpetrator will not be spared under any circumstances. I have directed authorities to arrest the culprits promptly and ensure they receive the harshest punishment.”
Sources reveal that the contractor lobby in Bastar is infamous for using influence and alleged bribes to secure government contracts, often resorting to threats and violence to suppress opposition. Journalists investigating corruption in the area are frequently subjected to harassment and intimidation.
(This Article was originally published by OpIndia, India Today)
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