Prime accused in journalist Mukesh's murder case arrested

The Chhattisgarh police arrested Suresh Chandrakar, the alleged mastermind behind journalist Mukesh Chandrakar’s murder, from Hyderabad on Sunday night. Mukesh Chandrakar, an independent journalist, was found dead in a septic tank in Bastar district last week.

Suresh Chandrakar, a distant relative of the journalist and a contractor by profession, had been on the run since the incident. Acting on intelligence and surveillance, police tracked him to his driver’s residence in Hyderabad. The operation involved reviewing 200 CCTV recordings and analyzing over 300 mobile numbers to pinpoint his location.

Mukesh Chandrakar’s murder has shocked the state and the journalistic community nationwide. His body was discovered last week in a septic tank close to his home in Bijapur. The 32-year-old journalist had been missing since New Year’s Day, and his body was identified by a tattoo on his hand after being found under a layer of cement in the tank.

Preliminary investigations revealed a gruesome crime. Police believe Chandrakar’s cousin Ritesh Chandrakar and supervisor Mahendra Ramteke attacked the journalist with an iron rod during a heated argument at dinner, killing him on the spot. The duo then hid the body in a septic tank, sealing it with cement to cover their tracks. Suresh Chandrakar allegedly devised the plan to conceal the murder, while another relative, Dinesh Chandrakar, supervised the cementing of the tank.

Three persons have already been arrested for the crime. Ritesh Chandrakar was detained at Raipur airport, while Mahendra Ramteke and Dinesh Chandrakar were apprehended in Bijapur. Suresh Chandrakar’s wife has also been taken into custody in Kanker district for questioning.

The Press Association and the Editors Guild of India have condemned the brutal murder and expressed concerns about the safety of journalists. “This case highlights the dangers faced by field reporters, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas,” the Editors Guild stated. They urged the Chhattisgarh government to expedite the investigation and ensure the safety of journalists.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma called the incident "terrible and painful" and assured that strict action would be taken against those involved. Meanwhile, the investigation continues, with police investigating further details about the conspiracy.