In a significant breakthrough, Chhattisgarh Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested Suresh Chandrakaar, a contractor and Congress worker, accused of masterminding the gruesome murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakaar. The arrest, carried out late on January 5 in Hyderabad, was confirmed by the Bastar IG P Sundarraj, who shed light on the case that has sparked nationwide outrage and raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists in conflict zones.

Mukesh Chandrakaar, 33, a journalist from Bijapur, was known for his fearless reporting on left wing insurgency and corruption in government projects. On January 1, 2025, he went missing. His mutilated body was discovered two days later in a sealed septic tank on Suresh Chandrakaar’s property in Chhatanpara locality.

Advertisement

The postmortem report detailed the sheer brutality of the attack- Mukesh’s liver was torn into four pieces, five ribs were broken, his skull had 15 fractures, his heart was ruptured, and his neck was snapped. The doctor conducting the autopsy described it as one of the most gruesome murders they had encountered.

Mukesh’s investigative work on corruption in Public Works Department (PWD) projects exposed irregularities in road construction contracts awarded to Suresh Chandrakaar. Sources reveal that the project costs were inflated from Rs 56 crore to Rs 112 crore, and payments were allegedly made for incomplete work. This expose is believed to have angered Suresh, who then plotted the journalist’s murder.

Primary investigation suggests that on the night of the murder, an argument broke out during dinner. Suresh’s brother, Ritesh, and supervisor, Mahendra, attacked Mukesh with iron rods, inflicting fatal injuries. His body was dumped in a septic tank and sealed with cement, while another accomplice, Dinesh, stood guard. The attackers also destroyed Mukesh’s phone and the murder weapon.

After the murder, Suresh fled Chhattisgarh, evading law enforcement agencies. The SIT, formed to probe the case, tracked his movements using over 200 CCTV footages and 300 mobile numbers. He was finally apprehended in Hyderabad. Authorities have frozen four of Suresh’s bank accounts and demolished several illegal constructions linked to him.

Despite the arrest, questions are being raised about the police investigation. Senior journalist Alok Kumar Putul, speaking to The Statesman, highlighted concerns about procedural lapses. “There are reports that the crime scene was not sealed, and no forensic team was called to examine it. While it’s possible the police are maintaining confidentiality, presenting concrete evidence and reliable witnesses in court will be their biggest challenge,” he said. These gaps in investigation have fueled skepticism over whether justice will prevail or if the case will falter due to weak prosecution.

Chhattisgarh’s Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap assured the public of swift justice. “We are committed to ensuring that all accused, including Suresh Chandrakaar, are punished to the fullest extent of the law. Three accomplices have already been arrested, and we will leave no stone unturned to secure justice for Mukesh’s family.”

The murder of Mukesh Chandrakaar has underscored the perilous environment in which journalists operate, especially in conflict zones like Bastar. His work exposed the nexus between corrupt officials and contractors, putting a spotlight on the lack of accountability in developmental projects in Maoist-affected areas. As the SIT continues to interrogate Suresh and investigate his financial and political connections, the case remains a litmus test for governance and the protection of press freedom in Chhattisgarh.

Whether Mukesh’s death will lead to systemic reforms or become another tragic statistic in Bastar’s troubled history, remains to be seen. The pressure is now on the police to build an airtight case that ensures conviction and sets a precedent for tackling corruption and violence in the region. As senior journalist Alok Kumar Putul aptly remarked, “The arrest is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in proving the case in court and ensuring that justice is not just promised but delivered.”