Construction irregularities in road projects lead to the arrest of five Public Works Department officers in Chhattisgarh, following an investigation by the slain journalist from Bijapur.
In the Naxal-hit region of Chhattisgarh, a shocking case of corruption and murder has come to light. Mukesh Chandrakar, a local journalist from Bijapur, was found murdered seven months ago after he exposed poor quality works and corruption in the construction of the Gangaloor-Mirtur-Nelsnar road.
Chandrakar's investigative reporting revealed substandard work and corruption involving Public Works Department (PWD) officials and contractors. His series of news stories in some publications and news portals exposed a scam involving around Rs 73 crore.
The body of the journalist was found in a septic tank, and investigations confirmed a nexus between the PWD officials and the contractor that led to financial losses for the government. This case led to a significant crackdown on corruption within the road construction sector in Chhattisgarh.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao confirmed the misconduct discovered during the probe committee's investigation, linking it to the journalist's murder. As a result, five PWD officials—three serving and two retired—were arrested for their involvement in the scam.
The prime accused in the case is Suresh Chandrakar, a contractor, along with his brothers and an associate. Suresh Chandrakar is the owner of the property where the body was found. The 11-member special investigation team (SIT) constituted to probe the murder case has already filed a 1,241-page chargesheet in the district court.
The officers arrested were produced in the local court on Tuesday and remanded to judicial custody for two days. An 11-member special investigation team (SIT) was constituted to probe the murder case, and the SIT has already filed a 1,241-page chargesheet in the district court in the case. Three other officers of the department, one of them now retired, have obtained anticipatory bail.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists who expose corruption and the importance of maintaining integrity in public works projects. The Gangaloor-Mirtur-Nelsnar road project, located in the Naxal-affected Bastar region, is now under scrutiny, and it remains to be seen what further developments will unfold in this tragic and complex case.
[1] Source: The Indian Express [2] Source: The Hindu [4] Source: The New Indian Express [5] Source: Times of India
Politics in Chhattisgarh has been tainted by the shocking murder of Mukesh Chandrakar, a journalist who exposed corruption and substandard work in the construction of the Gangaloor-Mirtur-Nelsnar road. The general-news story, reported by various media outlets including The Indian Express, The Hindu, The New Indian Express, and Times of India, revealed a scam involving around Rs 73 crore, implicating Public Works Department (PWD) officials, contractors, and a prime accused, Suresh Chandrakar. Crime-and-justice has come into focus with the arrest of five PWD officials, including three serving and two retired, for their involvement in the scam.
