The Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by IPS Mayank Gurjar has submitted its report on the murder of NDTV journalist Mukesh Chandrakar. The report implicates contractor Suresh Chandrakar and his brothers in the cold-blooded killing, SIT said in a statement on Thursday.
It confirms the identification and recovery of the weapon used, though police have yet to locate Mukesh’s missing mobile phone, despite ongoing efforts.
According to the report, Mukesh disappeared from his home between 8 and 8:30 PM on January 1, 2024, prompting his brother Yukesh to file a missing persons complaint the following day. Initial investigations into Mukesh’s mobile phone revealed multiple locations. Meanwhile, his Gmail account indicated he had been at Labour Quarters, Chhattanpara—a site often associated with Suresh, often used for entertainment.
Under police pressure, Suresh revealed the location of his labour quarters, but a search found no evidence of Mukesh. When questioned about new flooring near a septic tank, Suresh claimed it was for renovations and stated he hadn’t spoken to Mukesh in two years.
Amid this police intensified its investigation, and on suspicion it tracked the call details of Mukesh Chandrakar and tracked down Ritesh Chandrakar at Kondagaon toll plaza around 8:20 AM on January 2, 2025, leading to his arrest at Raipur airport. The SIT indicated that Suresh conspired with his brothers Ritesh and Dinesh 4-5days before the murder.
On January 1, Ritesh and his supervisor Mahendra attacked Mukesh with an iron rod in room 11, resulting in his death. Dinesh assisted in concealing the evidence and helped the attackers escape, as per Suresh’s plan.
In a further attempt to mislead police, Ritesh, Dinesh, and Mahendra disposed of Mukesh’s two mobile phones into the Tumnar river, approximately 65 km from Bijapur. Police are still working to recover these devices.
The SIT conducted a comprehensive investigation, examining call records, gathering evidence, and questioning around 50 individuals. During interrogation, Suresh revealed that despite being Mukesh his relative, he kept on exposing him in his reports led to inquiries about his works and he had to suffer loss. Finally, he decided to eliminate him and hatched a plot with his brother and finally killed Mukesh in cold blood, SIT claimed.
In a suspicious financial move, Suresh withdrew a significant sum from his account just days prior to the murder, which is under investigation. He was arrested in Hyderabad on January 5, while Ritesh, Dinesh, and Mahendra were apprehended earlier.
The police seized 4 four wheeler vehicles and devices used in cold blooded killing, , analyzed over 100 call detail records, and successfully recovered the murder weapon. Additionally, six bank accounts belonging to Suresh have been frozen, the SIT claimed.
More than 50 people were questioned.
