Mukesh Chandrakar: Indian media bodies want investigation into journalist’s murder. news
Three were arrested after the body of Mukesh Chandrakar was found stuffed in a septic tank in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh on January 3.
India’s media watchdog and other journalism organizations have called for a thorough investigation after the body of a freelance journalist who exposed alleged corruption in a road construction project was found in a septic tank in Bijapur in the central state of Chhattisgarh.
Police have arrested at least three people, including his two cousins, in connection with the murder of 28-year-old Mukesh Chandrakar.
Chandrakar had reported extensively on corruption and Maoist insurgency in the mineral-rich state. He used to run a popular YouTube channel “Bastar Junction”.
The Press Council of India expressed “concern” over Chandrakar’s killing in a statement late Saturday night and sought a report on the “facts of the case.”
The Editors Guild of India also said it was “deeply troubled” by the development. “The safety of journalists – especially those working in small towns and rural areas – is of utmost importance,” it said in a statement.
“The Editors Guild calls upon the Government of Chhattisgarh to expeditiously investigate the matter and leave no stone unturned in bringing the culprits to justice.”
Chandrakar’s body was found in Bijapur on January 3 after police tracked his mobile phone records after his family reported him missing.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) described Chandrakar’s death as “heartbreaking” and promised “the harshest punishment” for those found responsible.
Congress party leader Priyanka Gandhi expressed grief over the incident and demanded strict action against the culprits.
She said, “I demand from the state government to take strict and immediate action in this matter, give strict punishment to the culprits and consider giving appropriate compensation and job to the family of the deceased.”
India was ranked 159th last year in the World Press Freedom Index conducted by Reporters Without Borders.
