Bijapur: The murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar has sparked a political controversy in Chhattisgarh, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress accusing each other of being involved in the crime. The journalist’s body was found in a septic tank on Friday.

While the Congress has labelled it a "jungle raj" under the BJP's rule, the BJP has responded by sharing a photograph of contractor Suresh Chandrakar alongside Congress leaders.

"No one is safe in BJP's jungle raj. Law and order is completely destroyed. It is not expected that the media will show this news and question the BJP government. Because 'Sab Changa Si' mode is on in the media." Congress wrote on social media platform X. 

Although BJP didn't respond to the Congress post, the party has accused the grand old party of being complicit in the journalist’s murder. The  highlighting that Suresh Chandrakar, the contractor accused in the case, is a Congress leader.

On Saturday, police confirmed the arrest of three individuals in connection with the murder.

The body of Mukesh Chandrakar, a 33-year-old freelance journalist, was discovered on the property of a local contractor, Suresh Chandrakar, in Chattanpara Basti, Bijapur. Mukesh, who ran a YouTube channel called Bastar Junction with 1.59 lakh subscribers, had been missing since the evening of January 1.  

His elder brother, Yukesh Chandrakar, filed a missing person report with the police on January 2. Acting on clues from Mukesh’s mobile location, authorities located his body in a septic tank at the contractor’s property.

Protests

Local journalists allege that Mukesh had reported on irregularities in road construction projects in the region. These reports might have put him at odds with powerful figures, potentially providing a motive for the crime. Police have yet to confirm the exact cause of Mukesh’s death as they await the autopsy report. 

On Saturday morning, the Journalists from across the division had been sitting on the National Highway and blocking it in protest demanding the arrest of the accused in the case.They were adamant that the accused should be arrested immediately and strict action should be taken. Additionally, journalists are demanding the suspension of the Bijapur SP.

Family ties and allegations

It has been revealed that Suresh Chandrakar and another suspect, Ritesh Chandrakar, are relatives of the deceased. This familial connection adds another layer of complexity to the investigation.  

(With agency inputs)