Mukesh Chandrakar was born in Basaguda, Chhattisgarh, and spent his formative years navigating the challenges of the local state-Maoist conflict. Growing up in such a tumultuous environment must have shaped his perspective and experiences in profound ways. Following the Salwa Judum violence, his family was relocated to a government shelter. A close friend claims that to support himself, Mukesh worked at a variety of jobs, such as selling mahua liquor and fixing bikes. Mukesh was a freelance journalist who worked with local media outlets and reported from the ground for well-known organizations like NDTV, News18, and Sahara before starting his YouTube channel Bastar Junction.
He was a freelance journalist who worked with local media outlets and reported from the ground for well-known organizations like NDTV, News18, and Sahara before starting his YouTube channel Bastar Junction. His personal experiences had a significant impact on how he understood the police-Maoist conflict and Adivasi life in the region. . His YouTube channel featured numerous videos highlighting Bastar villagers' protests, giving them a platform to express themselves internationally. Journalist and friend Ranjan Das reflects, "He had a deep sensitivity to the struggles faced by Adivasi communities, particularly regarding their vital connection to jal, jungle aur zamin (water, forest, and land)."
He was also well-liked by the Adivasis for his coverage of village protests, fictitious encounters, civilian murders, inadequate infrastructure, starvation, and inadequate medical facilities.
Mukesh had been explicitly threatened due to his work. The report clearly indicates that the Chhattisgarh police framed the journalists by deliberately planting evidence against them. Mukesh posted a screenshot of a WhatsApp message from a senior IPS officer the next morning, in which the officer criticized his support for the journalists who were imprisoned. The government launched an investigation after Mukesh's December 25 NDTV report on the bad state of Bijapur's roads. Suresh Chandrakar, his cousin, was the contractor. According to police, Suresh was the mastermind behind the alleged murder of Mukesh by his brother Ritesh in retaliation.
Key Accused in Journalist's Murder Case Arrested in Hyderabad Suresh Chandrakar's Arrest
On January 5, Suresh Chandrakar, a key figure in the case of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar's murder, was arrested in Hyderabad, marking a step towards justice. Last week, the discovery of Mukesh Chandrakar's body in a septic tank in Chhattisgarh raised serious concerns and demands for justice. The murder is thought to have been planned by Suresh, the journalist's contractor and distant relative, who has been missing ever since the incident was made public. The police carried out a thorough investigation to find Suresh Chandrakar. They tracked almost 300 mobile numbers and examined footage from about 200 CCTV cameras. Because of their careful work, they were able to locate Suresh, who was hiding at his driver's house in Hyderabad.
There have been several arrests in this case. Ritesh Chandrakar, the victim's cousin who was arrested on January 4 at Raipur airport, is one of those detained.In a concerning situation, a supervisor named Mahendra Ramteke and Dinesh Chandrakar, a relative of Mukesh, have been taken into custody in Bijapur. It’s always challenging when individuals find themselves in such circumstances. The larger investigation into the murder included these arrests. The investigation's initial conclusions have provided insight into the circumstances surrounding Mukesh Chandrakar's passing. It seems that Mahendra Ramteke, Mukesh, and his cousin Ritesh got into a fight over dinner. As tensions rose in the argument, Ritesh and Mahendra resorted to violence, striking Mukesh with an iron rod and resulting in a fatal outcome.The murderers made an effort to conceal their crime after it was committed. To avoid being discovered, they put Mukesh's body in a septic tank and sealed it with cement. To make the investigation even more difficult, they also threw away the iron rod that was used in the attack as well as Mukesh's cell phone. The extent to which the police went to solve the case and apprehend the alleged mastermind and accomplices is demonstrated by this thorough investigation.
The Need for Safeguarding Free Press Rights- Through The Lens Of a Brave Voice That Got Silenced
Each year, three to four journalists in India make the ultimate sacrifice for their vital work, highlighting the serious risks they navigate in one of the world’s most dangerous environments for the media. This reality underscores the need for robust protections for these fearless individuals committed to uncovering the truth. In addition to being subjected to criminal charges and arbitrary arrests, people who criticize the government are frequently the targets of physical assaults, threats, intimidation, and online harassment. Mukesh Chandrakar was an unafraid reporter who dedicated his career to telling the honest story. In addition to vigorously covering Naxal activity in the area, he also looked into corruption. Interestingly, he had been looking into a huge construction scam that was worth more than 100 crores. He seems to have lost his life as a result of his unrelenting search for the truth.
The horrific killing of Mukesh Chandrakar serves as a sobering reminder of the perils Indian journalists face. Attacks on journalists, including physical assaults, intimidation, and even murder, have become remarkably common despite constitutional guarantees of press freedom. Investigative journalism is stifled by the atmosphere of fear and self-censorship created by these attacks, which frequently go unpunished. The authorities must look into this horrible crime as soon as possible and bring the offenders to justice. To find the truth about Mukesh Chandrakar's murder and hold those responsible accountable, a comprehensive and unbiased investigation is essential.
Mukesh Chandrakar's murder serves as an alarming instance of how vital press freedom is to democracies. Holding those in authority responsible, maintaining openness, and promoting good governance all depend on a free and independent press. For journalists to perform their essential work, the state must safeguard them and provide a secure and supportive environment. To demand justice for Mukesh Chandrakar and all other journalists who have been victims of violence, the journalistic community must band together. Additionally, we need to keep fighting for press freedom and trying to build a society in which reporters can work without worrying about retaliation. Mukesh Chandrakar's silence must not be in vain.
Conclusion
Speaking to reporters about the recent killing of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Gariaband, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced that his government would soon enact a law protecting journalists in the state. State laws and legal protections are meant to protect press freedom, but their shortcomings and the rise in attacks on journalists show how urgently stronger protections are needed to guarantee journalists a fearless working environment so they don't have to sacrifice their lives or their safety for their honest work.