On January 21, Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, strongly condemned the tragic killing of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh, India, on January 1, 2025. In her statement, Azoulay expressed her deep concern, stressing the critical role investigative journalists play in informing society about wrongdoing. She highlighted the inherent risks journalists face while working to uphold truth and accountability.
Azoulay called for a “thorough and transparent investigation” into Chandrakar’s death, urging authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. “Investigative journalists take great risks to inform society of wrongdoing, and their safety is therefore crucial in empowering populations to safeguard the public good,” she stated.
“I condemn the killing of Mukesh Chandrakar and call for a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. Investigative journalists take great risks to inform society of wrongdoing, and their safety is therefore crucial in empowering populations to safeguard the public good.”
- Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General
Who is Mukesh Chandrakar?
Mukesh Chandrakar, a 32-year-old investigative journalist from Chhattisgarh, was found dead in a septic tank on January 3, 2025, in Bijapur, after being missing since New Year’s Day. Known for his fearless reporting on corruption in road construction projects and the Maoist conflict in the Bastar region, Mukesh’s tragic death is suspected to be linked to his exposure of a corruption scandal. His body was discovered in the compound of Suresh Chandrakar, a contractor involved in road projects, under fresh concrete slabs.
Mukesh’s rise to prominence was marked by his unique path to journalism, transitioning from selling mahua liquor and working as a mechanic to creating the popular YouTube channel Bastar Junction, which gained 1.66 lakh subscribers. His reports on poorly maintained roads, particularly in Bijapur, led to official inquiries. His cousin, contractor Suresh Chandrakar, allegedly orchestrated the murder after being angered by Mukesh’s reporting. Mukesh’s brother, Yukesh, revealed in a heartfelt video on the channel that Mukesh had been receiving threats prior to his death.
Days after a Chhattisgarh-based journalist was found murdered, the key suspect in the murder of Bastar journalist and YouTuber Mukesh Chandrakar, Suresh Chandrakar, was arrested by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Bijapur police from Hyderabad on the night of January 5, 2025. Police confirmed the arrest after the body of Mukesh was discovered on January 3, hidden in a septic tank at a property owned by Suresh in Chattanpara Basti, Bijapur. Three others involved in the crime—Ritesh Chandrakar, Dinesh Chandrakar, and supervisor Mahendra Ramteke—have already been arrested in connection with the case and remanded to police custody by the Court.
The incident sparked widespread protests and seeking justice for Chandrakar. The Editors Guild and the Press Club of India also condemned the murder, concerning the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones.
Chandrakar’s Postmortem: fractures to head, heart ripped out, broken neck
The Postpartum report of Mukesh Chandrakar revealed the shocking details in the killing of journalist. Chandrakar had 15 fractures to his head and his heart being ripped out. Chandrakar’s neck was also broken, reported the Free Press Journal. As per report, doctors also found pieces of liver and five broken ribs. After the postmortem, the doctors believed that there must have been two people involved in killing the 28-year-old journalist.
Prime suspect in Chandrakar’s murder withdraws ‘big amount’ from bank, SIT reveals
The SIT, in its statement, said that during the investigation and based on information from the banks, the prime accused, Suresh Chandrakar, had withdrawn a large sum of money from his account on December 27, four days before the incident. This matter is currently under investigation, SIT said.
However, when asked about the amount of money withdrawn from Suresh’s bank account, a senior police officer stated that it was a subject of investigation. ““Revealing the amount would hamper our investigation at this stage but money trail is being investigated,” he said, according to the Indian Express.
Asthi Kalash (urn with ashes) shattered and lying spread on the ground
In a disturbing turn of events, the disintegrated ‘Asthi Kalash’ (urn containing ashes) of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was found scattered near the cremation ground in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, about 50 meters from its original location.
On January 19, when Chandrakar’s family arrived at Muktidham, they discovered that the ‘Asthi Kalash’ had gone missing from its designated spot. A subsequent search in the vicinity led them to the shattered urn, with ashes scattered across the ground. Police confirmed the discovery, though no immediate explanation has been given for the urn’s disintegration, reported Indian Express.
Mukesh Chandrakar’s cousin, Yukesh Chandrakar, took to his X handle @youareYukesh to express his anguish. He said that, “We had kept Mukesh’s ashes, someone broke the urn and scattered the ashes. Today the ritual of immersion of Mukesh’s ashes is to be completed. I came to know from somewhere that my brother was beaten to death and a bulldozer was used on him.
Are we human?”
मुकेश की अस्थियां उठाकर रखी थीं हमने, किसी ने अस्थि कलश को फोड़कर अस्थियां बिखेर डालीं ! आज मुकेश के अस्थि विसर्जन की रस्म पूरी की जानी है । मुझे कहीं से पता चला था कि भाई को अधमरा होने तक मारकर उस पर बुलडोजर चलाई गई थी !
हम इंसान हैं ?@PMOIndia @ChhattisgarhCMO@vijaysharmacg… pic.twitter.com/sbkVuBcMAN— Yukesh Chandrakar (@youareYukesh) January 13, 2025
The urn was intended for the sacred Asthi Visarjan ritual in Kaleshwaram, Telangana, where the ashes of the deceased are immersed in holy waters.
Chhattisgarh CM announces Rs 10 Lakh aid to Chandrakar’s family
On January 14, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced an aid of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of murdered journalist Mukesh Chandrakar. Speaking to reporters at the helipad in Police Lines, Sai said, “The family of the deceased journalist will be given ₹10 lakh assistance. A building will be constructed for journalists, and it will be named after him” as Hindustan Times reported
The CM’s announcement that the construction of a dedicated building for journalists in Chandrakar’s name is seen as a tribute to his work and legacy.
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