After going missing on New Year’s Day, the body of Indian journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was found in a septic tank in the state of Chhattisgarh.
Police said his body bore serious injuries and he was found at the premises of a road construction contractor in Bijapur on Friday.
Chandrakar reported on corruption and Maoist insurgency in the mineral-rich state and runs the popular YouTube channel “Bastar Junction”.
Chandrakar’s death has triggered protests
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate Mukesh’s death.
Three people have already been arrested, but the owner of the premises is absconding. The suspect is said to have political connections, but according to Indian media, both the Congress Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have denied that he is theirs.
Hindustan Times It was told that the journalists of the area have protested demanding strict action against the alleged criminals.
The Press Council of India has sought a report from the state government “on the facts of the case”.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, of the ruling BJP, described Chandrakar’s death as “heartbreaking” and promised “the harshest punishment” for those found responsible.
India was ranked 159th last year in the World Press Freedom Index conducted by Reporters Without Borders.
lo/sms (AFP, Lusa)
