The murder investigation of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, gathered pace after police recovered the motorcycle and car allegedly used in the attack that shook West Bengal’s political circles. Rath was shot dead late Tuesday night near Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district while travelling in an SUV along Jessore Road.
According to investigators, the assailants first intercepted Rath’s vehicle using a car before armed men on motorcycles surrounded the SUV and opened fire at close range. Rath sustained multiple bullet injuries and died soon after being rushed to hospital, while his driver suffered serious injuries and remains under medical treatment. Police officials suspect the murder was carefully planned and executed by professional attackers. A Special Investigation Team comprising officers from the CID, STF and district police has been formed to probe the killing. During the investigation, police recovered the abandoned car believed to have been used to block Rath’s vehicle and later seized a motorcycle allegedly used by the gunmen to escape.
Investigators found fake registration plates attached to the vehicles, while chassis numbers had reportedly been tampered with in an attempt to conceal their identities.Police are examining CCTV footage collected from multiple locations around the crime scene. Preliminary findings suggest the attackers had been monitoring Rath’s movements for several hours before launching the assault. Security agencies have also intensified checks near border areas to prevent suspects from fleeing the state. The murder has triggered a major political confrontation in West Bengal. BJP leaders described the incident as a targeted political killing and demanded a high-level investigation, while the ruling Trinamool Congress condemned the attack and called for swift action against those responsible. Rath’s family members have also claimed that he had received suspicious phone calls in the days before the murder.The investigation remains ongoing as police continue questioning several individuals and tracking possible links behind the high-profile killing.
