Bijapur police in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday submitted a chargesheet exceeding 1,200 pages against four individuals accused of murdering journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, 33.
Police claim Mukesh was killed for exposing substandard road construction work carried out by contractor Suresh Chandrakar, the prime accused, who was also his relative.
Murder & Investigation
Mukesh went missing on the night of January 1 and was found dead two days later in a septic tank on Suresh’s property in Chhatanpara. Investigations revealed that Suresh’s brother, Ritesh, and an employee, Mahendra Ramteke, allegedly executed the murder, striking Mukesh multiple times with an iron rod before disposing of his body in the tank and sealing it with concrete.
After Mukesh was reported missing on January 2, police traced his phone’s last location to Suresh’s property. The discovery of a freshly cemented tank cover raised suspicions, leading to the unearthing of Mukesh’s body. Further probes revealed that Ritesh had lured him there on the night of the murder.
Motive Behind Killing
Mukesh had exposed poor road construction linked to Suresh, leading to inquiries into three projects worth approximately ₹170 crore. His reports also triggered a GST raid on Suresh’s premises, resulting in a ₹20 lakh fine. “Suresh feared his empire would collapse and had threatened Mukesh days before the murder,” a senior police official stated.
Charges & Evidence
Alongside Suresh, Ritesh, and Mahendra, the chargesheet names Dinesh, another brother of the contractor. The case includes 72 witnesses, along with CCTV footage and call data records.
Additional Superintendent of Police Mayank Gurjar, who led the SIT investigation, emphasized, “We have meticulously compiled digital and physical evidence to ensure the accused face the strictest punishment.”
Mukesh’s Legacy
Mukesh was a well-regarded journalist in Bastar, known for reporting from core Naxal areas and advocating for tribal rights. His YouTube channel, Bastar Junction, gained widespread recognition, growing from 1.59 lakh to 2.01 lakh subscribers following his death, with total views rising to 3.6 crore.
The case is now set for trial, with authorities determined to secure justice for Mukesh.
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