Recently, the tragic murder of Mukesh Chandrakar, a courageous and independent journalist from Chhattisgarh's naxal-prone Bijapur, has escalated these concerns. His body was found with severe injuries, highlighting the dangers faced by those who report on corruption.
Mukesh was known for his investigative journalism, particularly exposing alleged corruption in road construction projects. Mukesh's case has drawn attention to the notorious contractor lobby in Bastar, often accused of using influence and intimidation to silence dissent. Journalists in the region, especially those covering corruption, are frequently subjected to harassment and threats.
.png)
Mukesh was renowned for his fearless reporting on naxalites and rural tribes. He worked as an independent journalist with NDTV and ran a popular YouTube channel, 'Bastar Junction' (with over 1.65 lakh subscribers), besides writing for different publications. The primary suspect in Mukesh Chandrakar's murder is his cousin, Suresh Chandrakar, who was among the three arrested. Mukesh's body was discovered on January 3, in a septic tank on a property owned by Suresh Chandrakar in Bijapur.
The motive behind Mukesh Chandrakar's murder appears to be linked to his investigative reporting on alleged corruption involving Suresh Chandrakar. Mukesh had recently exposed corruption in a road construction project managed by Suresh, which escalated tensions between them. On January 1, a heated argument erupted between Mukesh and Suresh regarding the alleged interference in Suresh's work. This argument ultimately led to Mukesh's murder. The investigation revealed that Mukesh's reporting had put significant pressure on Suresh, leading to this tragic outcome.
Mukesh, a 28-year-old journalist, had recently exposed alleged corruption in a ₹120-crore road construction project from Gangalur to Hiroli in the Bastar region. The project, initially tendered at ₹50 crore, escalated to ₹120 crore without any changes to the scope of work and was managed by contractor Suresh Chandrakar. Notably, Mukesh was one of the few journalists who ventured into the forests of Bastar two years ago, where he rescued CRPF soldiers from the clutches of Naxalites.
This tragic incident underscores the grave risks faced by journalists in their pursuit of truth and the urgent need for better protection and support for those who dare to speak out.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to look into the death of Mukesh Chandrakar. Additionally, three of contractor Suresh Chandrakar's bank accounts have been confiscated by police.
Journalist bodies, including the Press Club of India, Editors Guild, Delhi Union of Journalists, and Press Association, have demanded a serious investigation into the murder of Mukesh Chandrakar. They have also called for the central and state governments to implement comprehensive security measures to protect working journalists.
In addition to this, the case has drawn significant media and public attention due to the alleged political influence of the accused. Suresh Chandrakar, the main accused, is known to have political connections. He is a contractor and a Congress leader. On the other hand, the murder of Mukesh Chandrakar has sparked political controversy in Chhattisgarh, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress accusing each other of involvement in the crime. While the Congress has labeled it a "jungle raj" under BJP's rule.
Whereas, the BJP has responded by sharing a photograph of contractor Suresh Chandrakar alongside Congress leaders. The investigation is under intense public scrutiny, and there are demands for a thorough and impartial investigation.
Journalist Mukesh murder case is not the isolated one, here are the examples of similar cases where courageous journalists have been murdered because of their fearless reporting:
Gauri Lankesh, the editor of the Kannada-language weekly newspaper "Gauri Lankesh Patrike" and a courageous journalist, is one such example. She was well-known for her investigative journalism and her candid criticism of right-wing extremism. She was sadly shot dead outside her Bengaluru home on September 5, 2017. Her murder exposed the risks faced by journalists who dare to speak truth to power and provoked protests and widespread outrage throughout India.
The editor of the "Rising Kashmir" newspaper, Shujaat Bukhari, is another example. He was a well-known journalist in Jammu and Kashmir who was renowned for covering the local strife objectively. Unknown assailants shot and killed him outside his Srinagar office on June 14, 2018. His killing dealt a serious blow to journalistic freedom in the area.
These incidents highlight the serious dangers faced by Indian journalists who conduct investigative reporting and reveal corruption or wrongdoing, as does the recent murder of Mukesh Chandrakar. There has never been a greater need for improved security and assistance for journalists.
It is a harsh reality that independent journalists and online critics are often targeted for their criticism of government policies and practices, including prosecution under counterterrorism and sedition laws.
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg&description=The Murder of Mukesh Chandrakar: A Stark Reminder of the Risks Faced by Journalists){kind=link}
0 Comments