Contractor Suresh Chandrakar, accused of murdering TV journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, has been apprehended. The SIT took him into custody in Hyderabad.
Confirming the arrest, Bijapur SP Jitendra Singh Yadav stated that the accused was captured in Hyderabad. Notably, Mukesh Chandrakar's body was found on January 3 in a septic tank on the property of contractor Suresh Chandrakar. Mukesh had been missing since January 1. The police raided Suresh Chandrakar’s house to search for Mukesh. During their investigation, a corpse was retrieved from the septic tank. Despite its deteriorated state, the clothes identified the body as that of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar.
What is the case?
On January 1, Suresh Chandrakar’s brother, Ritesh, had summoned Mukesh. Since then, Mukesh's phone remained off. Bijapur police recovered Mukesh’s body from a septic tank on Suresh Chandrakar’s property. The contractor lobby wields significant influence in Bastar.
Allegations suggest that contractors bribe government officials to bag major projects. Journalists revealing these corruptions often encounter threats. This suspicious death has spotlighted the strained relations between media and contractor lobbies in Bastar.
The contractor's corruption was exposed
Journalist Mukesh Chandrakar had exposed the corruption of contractor Suresh Chandrakar. Suresh Chandrakar was awarded a contract worth 120 crore for road construction in Bastar. Following Mukesh's murder news, an inquiry was ordered against the contractor. Since January 1, Mukesh Chandrakar’s whereabouts were unknown.
It's claimed that Ritesh, the contractor's brother, made the last call to Mukesh. Since January 1, Mukesh Chandrakar’s phone was switched off. It’s alleged that the body was encased in cement within the tank, raising police suspicions.
