Hyderabad: The Chhattisgarh police arrested Suresh Chandrakar, the prime accused in the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, late on Sunday night. Suresh’s arrest marks the fourth in this high-profile case, following the earlier detention of his brothers Ritesh and Dinesh Chandrakar, as well as construction supervisor Mahendra Ramteke. Investigators allege that Mukesh’s cousin, Ritesh, orchestrated the murder over professional disputes, with assistance from the others to dispose of the body.

Mukesh’s lifeless body was discovered last Friday in a septic tank located on Suresh’s property in Bijapur’s Chhatanpara Basti. Police traced his last mobile location to the site, leading to the grim discovery. His body bore severe injuries to the head, back, and chest, suggesting he was attacked before being discarded in the tank. Local sources revealed that Mukesh had published an exposé on corruption just two days before his death, raising suspicions about a possible motive. Mukesh and his brother, Yukesh, both journalists, had supported each other after losing their parents at a young age.

The 33-year-old journalist was a contributor to media outlets like NDTV and News18, and he also ran a YouTube channel, Bastar Junction, with over 1.59 lakh subscribers. His murder has drawn widespread condemnation from the journalism community, with colleagues highlighting the dangerous conditions under which journalists in Chhattisgarh work. Independent journalist Poonam Masih expressed shock over the loss, describing Mukesh’s death as a tragic reminder of the risks faced by reporters exposing corruption in the region.