Sun Jan 05 19:04:22 UTC 2025: ## Journalist Investigating Corruption Found Dead in Septic Tank
**Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, India** – The body of Mukesh Chandrakar, a 32-year-old freelance journalist known for his reports on alleged corruption in public works projects, was discovered on Friday in a septic tank on the property of a road construction contractor in Bijapur. Chandrakar had been missing since New Year’s Day.
Three individuals, including two of Chandrakar’s relatives, have been arrested in connection with his death. Police say his body showed signs of a blunt-force trauma. A senior police officer stated that the body was found in a newly cemented septic tank after an initial search on January 2nd yielded no results. The main suspect, compound owner Suresh Chandrakar (also a relative), remains at large.
Chandrakar’s work, including his popular YouTube channel “Bastar Junction,” frequently focused on alleged corruption in local construction projects. Following his death, the Press Council of India demanded a report from the Chhattisgarh state government, and the Chief Minister announced the formation of a special investigation team. Local journalists have staged protests demanding swift justice.
This incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by journalists in India who investigate corruption and environmental issues. The Press Council of India and other media watchdogs have called for a thorough and transparent investigation into Chandrakar’s death. Similar attacks on journalists have occurred in the past, with Reporters Without Borders citing India as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for the media.
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