Suvendu Adhikari PA Murder: BJP leader and West Bengal Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide and personal assistant, Chandranath Rath, was shot dead in West Bengal’s Madhyamgram area in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night, just two days after the election results. Multiple rounds were allegedly fired at Rath, who died on the spot.
According to a Jagran.com report, investigating agencies suspect the murder was carried out by professional shooters who had been surveilling the area for nearly 72 hours before executing the attack. Police officials are suspecting an interstate connection in the case. Border police stations have been put on alert, while CCTV footage from multiple locations is being scanned as part of the investigation.
According to investigators, around seven to eight people were involved in the killing and had allegedly created a WhatsApp group to coordinate the operation. Police believe two sharp shooters were among the attackers.
The incident took place around 10:20 pm in the Doharia area on Jessore Road in Madhyamgram. Rath, 41, was travelling in his white Scorpio SUV when another car allegedly intercepted his vehicle. Moments later, motorcycle-borne assailants reportedly opened fire at point-blank range.
Reports suggest the attackers used Glock 47X pistols and fired several rounds. Rath sustained three bullet injuries to his chest and abdomen. His associate and driver, Buddhadev Bera, was also shot during the attack and remains in critical condition.
The West Bengal government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. CCTV footage examined by investigators suggests that the attackers executed the entire operation in just 50 seconds. Around 10 rounds were fired near Rath’s vehicle using sophisticated automatic weapons. Police suspect the sharp shooters were inside the car that blocked Rath’s vehicle, while the motorcycle-borne assailants followed from behind.
What Happened?
According to eyewitnesses and police officials, a car first blocked Rath’s SUV before the attackers on motorcycles approached the vehicle and fired through the front window from close range. The assailants fled immediately after the shooting.
Police said the vehicle used in the attack carried fake number plates. The car has since been seized as part of the investigation.
West Bengal DGP Siddh Nath Gupta said, “We have recovered empty cartridges and live ammunition from the crime scene.” He added that the motive behind the murder is still unclear and investigators are scanning CCTV footage from the area.
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Post-Mortem Findings
The post-mortem report confirmed that Rath suffered three bullet injuries. Doctors said he died due to excessive blood loss and multiple organ failure. He was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Reacting to the incident, Suvendu Adhikari described the killing of his aide as “cold-blooded” and “pre-planned.” He claimed Chandranath Rath was targeted for playing a key role in election management during the Nandigram and recent Bhabanipur elections.
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Adhikari further alleged that the killers had conducted detailed reconnaissance before tracking Rath and shooting him at close range. Amid demands from the TMC for a CBI probe, he said the police investigation was moving in the right direction.