Journalist Mukesh Chandrakar who exposed corruption found murdered in septic tank

Fears have been raised over the safety of journalists in India after a investigative reporter was murdered and buried in a septic tank.

Mukesh Chandrakar, 28, who ran a YouTube channel called Bastar Junction in the central Chhattisgarh state, had been missing since 1 January.

His reporting had uncovered alleged irregularities in a £11.8m road project in the Bastar region, a hotbed of Maoist insurgency, prompting a government inquiry.

After family raised the alarm, police found the journalist’s body at a site owned by a local contractor who had been angry at his reporting.

The Press Council of India and the Editors Guild of India have demanded a thorough inquiry, describing Chandrakar’s death as a matter of “grave concern” and urgning the government to prioritise the safety of journalists, particularly for those involved in field and investigative reporting. Protests have been staged by journalists in Bijapur demanding punishment for the perpetrators.

Police said Chandrakar’s body was found on 3 January at a work site owned by a distant relative, Suresh Chandrakar. He was arrested, along with his brother Ritesh and two others.

According to a report by India Today, the postmortem revealed the journalist had been brutally killed, suffering five broken ribs, 15 fractures to the head, a broken neck and having his heart ripped out.

Bastar police chief Sundarraj P. told a news conference: “Our investigation revealed that Ritesh Chandrakar was related to Mukesh and the two frequently interacted. On 1 January at 8pm, they spoke on the phone before both went to Suresh Chandrakar’s compound in Chattanpara for dinner. An argument ensued when Ritesh accused Mukesh of interfering with their construction work.”

Ritesh and another man “then attacked Mukesh with an iron rod, placed his body in a septic tank, and sealed it,” he added.

Chhattisgarh state chief minister, Vishnu Deo Sai, condemned the killing as a “heartbreaking” and “profound loss to journalism and society,” adding: “The culprits will face the harshest punishment.”

Deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma announced the formation of a special investigation team to fast-track the case.

Mukesh Chandrakar was previously recognised for his role in securing the release of police commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, who had been abducted by Maoists militants in 2021.

Chhattisgarh, rich in minerals but mired by corruption and violence, remains one of India’s most perilous regions for journalists.

India itself is a dangerous place for journalists, ranking 159 in the World Press Freedom Index out of 180 countries, according to Reporters Without Borders.

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