Indian Journalist Mukesh Chandrakar Found Murdered After Exposing Corruption

The freelance reporter's body was discovered in a septic tank, leading to arrests and protests over journalist safety in India.

Mukesh Chandrakar, a 32-year-old journalist from Chhattisgarh, was found dead in a septic tank on January 3 after being reported missing on New Year's Day.
Chandrakar had recently reported on alleged corruption in a ₹120 crore road construction project, which led to a government investigation.
Police have arrested four suspects, including contractor Suresh Chandrakar, the alleged mastermind and a relative of the victim, who was apprehended in Hyderabad after evading capture.
A postmortem revealed gruesome injuries, including fractures, a broken neck, and severe blunt-force trauma, sparking outrage and protests by journalists and press groups.
The case highlights the dangers faced by journalists in India, which ranks 159th in the World Press Freedom Index, with calls for stronger protections for reporters.