Press Council seeks report from Chhattisgarh govt on Bastar journalist Mukesh Chandrakar’s homicide

The Press Council of India (PCI) on Saturday (January 4, 2025) expressed concern over the suspected homicide of a journalist in Chhattisgarh and sought a report from the State authorities.

PCI Chairperson Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai took suo motu cognisance of the loss of life of Mukesh Chandrakar in Bastar and referred to as for a report on details of the case from the state authorities, a PCI assertion mentioned.

The Press Affiliation and the Editors Guild of India additionally condemned the killing of the tv journalist, and demanded the State authorities conduct an intensive investigation.

Three individuals have been detained in reference to the alleged killing of the 33-year-old. In line with the police, the 4 accused recognized up to now embody brothers Ritesh Chandrakar, Dinesh Chandrakar and Suresh Chandrakar who’re development contractors and Mahendra Ramteke, who’s their worker. Suresh Chandrakar is absconding whereas the opposite three have been arrested.

Mr. Chandrakar, a contract journalist who had highlighted alleged irregularities in street development, went lacking on January 1, and his physique was discovered on Friday in a septic tank on a property owned by Suresh Chandrakar at Chattanpara Basti in Bijapur city, as per police.

SIT arrange

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma introduced the establishing of a Particular Investigation Crew to probe the case.

State Deputy CM Arun Sao, who additionally holds PWD portfolio, mentioned investigation will likely be carried out into each undertaking executed by Suresh Chandrakar.

Mukesh Chandrakar labored as a contract journalist for information channel NDTV, and in addition ran a YouTube channel, ‘Bastar Junction’, which has 1.59 lakh subscribers.

He performed a vital function within the launch of CoBRA commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas from Maoist captivity in April 2021 following the Takalguda Naxal ambush in Bijapur that killed 22 safety personnel.

Addressing a press convention, Inspector Basic of Police (Bastar Vary) Sundarraj P mentioned Ritesh Chandrakar was arrested from Raipur airport, whereas Dinesh Chandrakar and Ramteke had been held from Bijapur.

“Our probe has revealed Ritesh Chandrakar is a kin of Mukesh Chandrakar and the 2 used to work together usually. On January 1, at 8 p.m., the 2 spoke on telephone after which each went to the compound of Suresh Chandrakar in Chattanpara for dinner. An argument broke out after Ritesh accused the deceased of hindering their development work,” the IG mentioned.

“Ritesh and Ramteke killed Mukesh with an iron rod, positioned the physique within the septic tank and shut it. Ritesh then referred to as his elder brother Dinesh, who was in Jagdalpur, and Suresh Chandrakar in addition to different kin. Ritesh, Ramteke and Dinesh met at Bodli [a village between Bijapur and Jagdalpur] and conspired to destroy proof,” the official mentioned.

They went to completely different locations to get rid of the weapon used within the crime and Mukesh Chandrakar’s cell phone, he mentioned.

“Ritesh instructed his elder brother Dinesh to forged recent slab over the septic tank and left for Raipur within the car of his elder brother Suresh Chandrakar. Thereafter, Ritesh left for New Delhi from Raipur on January 2,” he mentioned.

After Mukesh Chandrakar went lacking at round 8:30 p.m. on January 1, his elder brother Yukesh Chandrakar lodged a criticism with the police the subsequent day.

Kin and media colleagues of Mukesh Chandrakar had been spoken to concerning the disappearance, after which cell phone tower places of the suspects had been retrieved, the IG mentioned.

“Based mostly on the deceased’s final identified location, the premises of contractor Suresh Chandrakar in Chattanpara had been inspected on January 2 however nothing was discovered. On January 3, the newly floored septic tank close to the badminton court docket at Suresh Chandrakar’s premises was examined. We discovered Mukesh’s physique in it,” he mentioned.

“He had accidents on the brow, again, abdomen and chest attributable to a tough and blunt object. A case was registered below Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for homicide, disappearance of proof and different offences. 4 groups try to nab Suresh Chandrakar,” he mentioned.

In the meantime, state Congress communication wing chief Sushil Anand Shukla claimed Suresh Chandrakar was inducted into the BJP final yr and that there have been images of him with ruling get together leaders.

“Suresh Chandrakar visited CM Home 10 days in the past. CCTV footage of CM Home and guests’ listing for the previous 15 days have to be made public. Why is corruption of Suresh Chandrakar uncovered by Mukesh not being mentioned? Is it potential to make 90% advance fee in a street contract of ₹120 crore with out safety of ministers and folks in energy,” Mr. Shukla requested.

He sought resignation of Deputy CMs Sharma and Sao aside from ₹1 crore as compensation to Mukesh’s kin.

Earlier within the day, journalists protested at Raipur Press Membership.