The body of an Indian journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, who went missing and the family had logged a complaint with police had been found in a septic tank.
The 32-year-old journalist had gone missing on a New Year’s Day and his remains was found on Friday in the compound of a road construction contractor in the Bijapur town area after officers tracked his mobile phone.
Chandrakar had allegedly reported about the corruption embedded in the country’s public construction projects and a media watchdog has demanded a thorough investigation into his suspicious death.
Three people have been arrested in connection with his death, reportedly including two of his relatives.
Police in the Bijapur district did not find anything during an initial visit to the compound on 2 January.
A senior police officer in Bijapur district revealed that the security operatives didn’t find anything on an initial visit in that construction compound.
In his words: “However, after further inspection on 3 January, we discovered Mukesh’s body in the newly floored septic tank near the badminton court.”
According to report, the deceased body showed severe injuries consistent with a blunt-force attack.
Following his death, the Press Council of India called for a report “on the facts of the case” from the state’s government.
The chief minister of the state who described Mr Chandrakar’s death as “heartbreaking” had disclosed that a special investigation had been formed to leave no stone unturned.
It has been reported in Indian media that one of those under arrest over the journalist’s death is his cousin.
One of the main suspects – compound owner Suresh Chandrakar, also a relative – is on the run.
Local journalists have held a protest demanding strict action against the alleged perpetrators.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders has said that an average of three or four journalists are killed in connection with their work in India every year, making it one of the world’s most dangerous countries for the media.
The late journalist also ran a popular YouTube channel, Bastar Junction.