The body of an Indian journalist who reported on alleged corruption in the country has been found in a septic tank in the state of Chhattisgarh.
Mukesh Chandrakar, 32, went missing on New Year and his family filed a police complaint.
His body was found on Friday at a developer's compound in the Bijapur city area after police tracked his mobile phone.
Three people have been arrested in connection with his death, including two of his relatives. A media watchdog called for a thorough investigation.
Bijapur district police found nothing during an initial visit to the compound on January 2.
“However, after further inspection on January 3, we found Mukesh's body in the newly covered septic tank near the badminton court,” said a senior police officer, referring to the fact that concrete slabs had been placed over the tank.
Police said his body showed severe injuries consistent with blunt force assault.
Mr. Chandrakar, a freelance journalist, has reported extensively on alleged corruption in public works projects.
He also runs a popular YouTube channel, Bastar Junction.
After his death, the Press Council of India urged the state government to prepare a report “on the facts of the case”.
The state's chief minister described Mr Chandrakar's death as “heartbreaking”.
In a post on X, he said a special team has been formed to investigate the case.
Indian media reported that one of those arrested for the journalist's death was his cousin.
One of the main suspects – the owner of the complex, Suresh Chandrakar, also a relative – is absconding.
Local journalists staged a protest demanding strict action against the alleged perpetrators.
Attacks on journalists who report on corruption or environmental degradation are not uncommon in India.
In May 2022 Subhash Kumar Mahto, a freelance journalist known for his reporting on people involved in illegal sand mining, was fatally shot in the head by four unidentified men outside his home in Bihar.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders said an average of three or four journalists are killed in connection with their work in India each year, making it one of the world's most dangerous countries for the media.