Chhattisgarh: Missing Journalist's Body Found In Septic Tank In Bijapur, CM Says 'Culprit Won't Be Spared'

The post-mortem is underway and the suspects are being questioned. Although the contractor is being considered the main suspect, it is yet to be ascertained what role he played in the case, if any. 

The body of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, who had gone missing in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur on January 1, was recovered on Friday from a septic tank at the premises of a local contractor, who according to the police, had been upset with him over a news report.

Following the incident, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed condolences and asserted that the culprits will be arrested as soon as possible and given "harshest punishment".

"The news of the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar of Bijapur is extremely sad and heartbreaking. The demise of Mukesh Ji is an irreparable loss to the world of journalism and society. The culprit of this incident will not be spared under any circumstances. We have given instructions to arrest the criminals as soon as possible and give them the harshest punishment," Chhattisgarh CM said in a post on X.

According to IG Bastar P Sundarraj, the post-mortem is underway and the suspects of the incident are being questioned.

"A journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was missing since January 1. The police registered a case and formed a special team to investigate. Today his body was recovered from a septic tank in the premises of contractor Suresh Chandrakar. The post-mortem of the body is being done. Suspects of the incident are being questioned," IG Bastar told news agency ANI.

The journalist ran a YouTube channel called Bastar Junction and had previously worked for several media houses. His YouTube channel had 2.87 crore views and 1.59 lakh subscribers.

Chandrakar went missing on Wednesday evening, following which his brother filed a missing person complaint on Thursday. A special team was formed by the Bijapur police to search for him. During investigation, police discovered that a local contractor was enraged by a news report done by Chandrakar, The Indian Express reported citing police.

The police then searched the contractor’s premises during which the body of the journalist was found in a septic tank. Although the contractor is being considered the main suspect, it is yet to be ascertained what role he played in the case, if any. 

Chandrakar had previously done reports on the condition of various hospitals and health facilities in Bijapur. He was also known for his reporting from the Naxal heartland, including from remote villages and Naxal camps, the report said.