छत्तीसगढ़ के पत्रकार मुकेश चंद्राकर मर्डर केस में नया मोड़, चचेरा भाई निकला मुख्य आरोपी

Sun Jan 05 07:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Journalist Murdered for Exposing Corruption in Chhattisgarh

**Raipur, Chhattisgarh:** The murder of Mukesh Chandrakar, a 28-year-old journalist known for his investigative reporting, has sent shockwaves through Chhattisgarh. His cousin, Ritesh Chandrakar, has been identified as the main suspect in his killing and arrested along with two others. Chandrakar’s death is linked to his exposé of alleged corruption in a ₹120 crore road construction project in Bastar region.

Chandrakar, who ran a popular YouTube channel, “Bastar Junction,” with over 1.59 lakh subscribers, had reported on how the project’s initial tender of ₹50 crore was inflated to ₹120 crore. The project was awarded to contractor Suresh Chandrakar, who remains at large.

Police reports suggest Ritesh Chandrakar, who had a close relationship with Mukesh despite the recent fallout over the investigation, arranged a meeting between Mukesh and Suresh on January 1st. Following the meeting, Mukesh’s phone was switched off, and he was reported missing by his brother. His body was discovered two days later in a septic tank on a property belonging to Suresh Chandrakar.

The state government has responded by forming an SIT (Special Investigation Team) to investigate the murder, freezing Suresh Chandrakar’s three bank accounts and initiating demolition of his allegedly illegal constructions. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has condemned the killing and demanded swift justice and compensation for the victim’s family. Chhattisgarh’s Deputy Chief Minister, Vijay Sharma, stated that Suresh Chandrakar, a Congress leader, is a key suspect in the case. The investigation is ongoing.