Chhattisgarh YouTuber Mukesh Chandrakar Murdered Over Road Quality Report, Cousin Arrested

A story of determination cut short by violence has emerged from Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, where journalist and YouTuber Mukesh Chandrakar was found dead in a septic tank last week. The 32-year-old reporter, known for his fearless coverage of Naxal-affected regions, was allegedly killed over a news report exposing poor road construction in his area.

Chandrakar’s path to journalism was anything but conventional.

Born in Basaguda, a village heavily impacted by militia and Maoist violence, he and his family were forced to move to a government shelter in Bijapur. After losing both parents early in life – his father during childhood and mother to cancer in 2013 – Chandrakar supported himself by selling mahua liquor and working as a mechanic.

Inspired by his elder brother Yukesh’s work in journalism, Chandrakar found his true calling in reporting. He built a reputation working with major news channels, becoming known for his ground reports from dangerous Naxal territories. His dedication to journalism led him to start Bastar Junction, a YouTube channel that grew to over 168,000 subscribers and provided him with a stable income.

Chandrakar’s work went beyond personal success – he played a crucial role in helping security forces negotiate with Maoists in 2021 to secure the release of a captured CoBRA jawan in Tekalguda. He was also known for assisting other journalists in navigating the challenging terrain of Chhattisgarh on his motorcycle.

His final report, published on December 25, exposed the poor condition of a road in Bijapur.

The story led to a government inquiry and ultimately cost him his life. The road contractor was his cousin Suresh Chandrakar, who police say orchestrated the murder in retaliation for the expose.

After an extensive search involving analysis of 200 CCTV cameras and 300 mobile numbers, police arrested Suresh Chandrakar in Hyderabad on January 5, 2025. Three other suspects – Suresh’s siblings Ritesh and Dinesh Chandrakar, along with an associate named Mahendra – were arrested earlier. Police have frozen four bank accounts linked to Suresh and demolished his illegally constructed yard as part of the investigation.

Mukesh Chandrakar was last seen leaving his home on New Year’s Day. When he didn’t return, his brother Yukesh filed a missing person report. The discovery of his body in a contractor’s septic tank marked the end of a remarkable journey that took him from selling local liquor to becoming a voice for his community through journalism.

His death highlights the risks faced by independent journalists in conflict-affected regions who work to expose corruption and wrongdoing, often putting their lives on the line in pursuit of truth.