RAIPUR: The brutal murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh has shocked the nation, leading to the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve deep into the case. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma announced that the SIT, comprising 11 members, aims to uncover the truths surrounding the murder and its connections to ongoing corruption allegations in the region.

Chandrakar's body was discovered in a septic tank belonging to a road contractor in Bijapur, stirring outrage among local journalists and the community. Sharma revealed during a press conference that the police have arrested three individuals linked to the case, while the main suspect, Suresh Chandrakar, a civil contractor and distant relative of the deceased, remains at large. The authorities are pursuing four police teams to locate him.

The investigation is rooted in a corruption report aired on NDTV last December, which allegedly implicated Suresh in corrupt practices involving road construction. Sharma noted that the news report likely motivated the murder, as it sparked official inquiries from the local government. Highlighting the severity of the situation, he remarked that the murder represents a setback to peace efforts in the Bastar region.

In a gripping sequence of events leading to Chandrakar's death, police stated that Ritesh Chandrakar, one of the arrested suspects, was in an altercation with Mukesh over the reported corrupt activities. The argument escalated, resulting in Ritesh and accomplices attacking Mukesh with an iron rod. The heinous act culminated in them disposing of his body in a septic tank, trying to conceal the evidence by sealing it with concrete.

The investigation has also revealed that these individuals attempted to destroy additional evidence and mislead authorities after committing the crime. IPS officer Mayank Gurjar, leading the SIT, pledged a thorough investigation that would incorporate both scientific and technical evidence, aiming for a swift trial.

On the political front, tensions are rising as the incident highlights alleged connections between local politicians and corruption. Congress party member Sushil Anand Shukla critiqued the BJP's leadership, asserting that Suresh's political affiliations should be scrutinized similarly to any wrongdoing manifesting from Congress members. He emphasized that political protection could be at play in this alleged corruption case, questioning how substantial advancements in road contract payments occur without higher-level endorsement.

The community's response is palpable as journalists in Bijapur have called for a city-wide shutdown to protest this tragic event and advocate for justice. Mukesh Chandrakar's murder acts as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by journalists in India, particularly those uncovering corruption. As the investigation unfolds, the stakeholders involved continue to grapple with the implications of this shocking crime.

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