Fri Jan 03 16:39:41 UTC 2025: ## Chhattisgarh Journalist Found Dead; Family Alleges Murder Linked to Corruption Exposé

**Raipur, Chhattisgarh, January 3, 2025** – Mukesh Chandrakar, a 36-year-old journalist known for his reporting on the Maoist conflict in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, was found dead in a septic tank on Friday. His body was discovered on the premises of a construction contractor in Bijapur, two days after he went missing.

Chandrakar’s family has alleged that his death is linked to his recent reports exposing alleged irregularities in a road construction project in Bijapur. His brother, Yukesh Chandrakar, also a journalist, filed a missing person report on Wednesday, citing threats against Mukesh from the contractor, Suresh Chandrakar, and two others. The police confirmed the discovery of the body and stated that a post-mortem is pending. While Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav confirmed the location of the body and stated that the investigation is ongoing, he declined to comment on suspects or motives.

Chandrakar, a decade-long journalist who worked as a stringer for a major national news channel and ran a popular YouTube channel, “Bastar Junction,” with over 159,000 subscribers, often reported on the Maoist conflict and tribal issues. His work also included assisting other journalists in their reporting.

Fellow journalists in Bastar have condemned the killing, highlighting the dangers faced by reporters in the region. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over Chandrakar’s death and vowed to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice, promising swift arrest and harsh punishment. Yukesh Chandrakar has indicated he will hold a press conference in Delhi to provide further details. The investigation into Chandrakar’s death is underway.

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