The person accused of plotting the homicide of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, whose physique was present in a septic tank in Chhattisgarh final week, was arrested in Hyderabad on Sunday evening. Suresh Chandrakar, a distant relative of the journalist and a contractor, is believed to be the mastermind behind the homicide. He had been lacking for the reason that homicide got here to mild.
In accordance with the police, Suresh Chandrakar was hiding at his driver’s dwelling in Hyderabad. To trace him, the police reviewed footage from 200 CCTVs and traced almost 300 cellular numbers.
The police are at present questioning him, officers stated.
Earlier, 4 financial institution accounts linked to Suresh Chandrakar have been frozen and an illegally constructed yard owned by him was demolished.
Suresh Chandrakar’s spouse has additionally been taken into custody in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district and is being interrogated, officers added.
Mukesh Chandrakar’s physique was present in a septic tank in a shed owned by a contractor in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar final week. The impartial journalist, who was additionally a contributing reporter for NDTV, was final seen leaving his dwelling in Bijapur on New Yr’s Day. When he didn’t return, the journalist’s brother, Yukesh, filed a lacking grievance the subsequent day.
After starting an investigation, police discovered the 32-year-old’s physique, not very removed from his dwelling.
In accordance with a submit mortem report, Mukesh Chandrakar was attacked with a heavy object and suffered extreme accidents to his head, chest, again, and abdomen. His physique was recognized by a tattoo on his hand.
Three PERSONS, together with two of Chandrakar’s family, have been arrested within the case. Whereas his cousin, Ritesh Chandrakar, was arrested from Raipur airport on Saturday, Mahendra Ramteke, a supervisor, and Dinesh Chandrakar, one other relative of the sufferer, have been taken into custody from Bijapur.
How was Mukesh Chandrakar murdered?
Preliminary investigation revealed that the journalist’s cousin Ritesh and the supervisor Mahendra attacked Chandrakar with an iron rod, killing him on the spot, after an argument broke out between them throughout dinner. The duo then hid the physique in a septic tank and sealed it with cement to hide the crime. Additionally they disposed of Chandrakar’s telephone and the iron rod with which they killed him.
Whereas Dinesh Chandrakar allegedly supervised the cementing of the tank, Suresh Chandrakar was believed to BE the one who got here up with the plan.
Condolences pour in
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma known as Mukesh Chandrakar’s homicide “horrible, painful, and totally flawed”. He additionally assured sturdy motion.
The Press Affiliation and the Editors Guild of India condemned the incident and urged the Chhattisgarh authorities to take steps to guard journalists, notably these concerned in subject reporting and investigative journalism.
“The younger journalist’s demise is a matter of grave concern because it raises suspicion of foul play. The Editors Guild calls on the federal government of Chhattisgarh to spare no efforts in investigating the case speedily and bringing the responsible to guide. The protection of journalists – particularly these working in smaller cities and rural areas – is of paramount significance, and the Editors Guild calls for that authorities throughout the nation should do their greatest to make sure that no hurt or hindrance is brought on to any of them in discharging their skilled duties,” the Guild stated in a press release.
The Press Affiliation, a number one physique of journalists, stated the tragic incident highlighted the pressing want for stronger safeguards to make sure journalists can carry out their important function with out concern of retribution.