The body of an Indian journalist who covered allegations of corruption in the country has been found in a septic tank in the state of Chhattisgarh.
Mukesh Chandrakar, 32, went missing on New Year’s Day and his family filed a complaint with the police.
His body was found on Friday in the compound of a road construction contractor in Bijapur town after officers recovered his mobile phone.
Three people were arrested in connection with his death, including two of his relatives. The media watchdog demanded a thorough investigation.
Bijapur district police found nothing during an initial visit to the spot on January 2.
“However, upon further inspection on January 3, we discovered Mukesh’s body in the newly lined septic tank near the badminton court,” said a senior police officer, referring to the fact that concrete slabs had been placed above the pit.
Police said his body had serious injuries consistent with a blunt force attack.
Mr. Chandrakar, an independent journalist, had reported extensively on allegations of corruption in public construction projects.
He also ran a popular YouTube channel, Bastar Junction.
After his death, the Press Council of India demanded a report “on the facts of the case” from the state government.
The state’s chief minister described Mr Chandrakar’s death as “heartbreaking”.
In an article on X, he said that a special investigation team had been formed to investigate the case.
According to Indian media, one of the people arrested following the journalist’s death is his cousin.
One of the main suspects, Suresh Chandrakar, owner of the resort and also a relative, is on the run.
Local journalists staged a protest demanding strict action against the alleged perpetrators.
Attacks on journalists who cover corruption or environmental degradation are not uncommon in India.
In May 2022, Subhash Kumar Mahto, an independent journalist known for his reporting on those involved in illegal sand mining, was fatally shot in the head by four unidentified men outside his home in Bihar.
According to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, an average of three to four journalists are killed each year in India in the course of their work, making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world for the media.
