Bijapur journalist murder: Mastermind Suresh Chandrakaar arrested in Hyderabad

In a significant breakthrough, Chhattisgarh Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested Suresh Chandrakaar, a contractor and Congress worker, accused of masterminding the gruesome murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakaar.

- SHISHIR ROY CHOWDHURY

The arrest, carried out late on 5 January in Hyderabad, was confirmed by the Bastar IG P Sundarraj, who shed light on the case that has sparked nationwide outrage and raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists in conflict zones.

Mukesh Chandrakaar, 33, a journalist from Bijapur, was known for his fearless reporting on left-wing insurgency and corruption in government projects.

On 1 January 2025, he went missing. His mutilated body was discovered two days later in a sealed septic tank on Suresh Chandrakaar's property in Chhatanpara locality.

The post-mortem report detailed the sheer brutality of the attack - Mukesh's liver was torn into four pieces, five ribs were broken, his skull had 15 fractures, his heart was ruptured, and his neck was snapped.