In a shooting incident in Madhyamgram of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night, Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead while returning home from Kolkata.
According to eyewitness accounts and the preliminary police investigation, the attack took place at around 10:30 pm and was carried out in a planned manner. Rath, 42, was travelling in a Scorpio vehicle when assailants allegedly opened fire on him, firing between six and 10 rounds. He sustained four bullet injuries and was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The incident occurred between Doltala and Madhyamgram, around 20 kilometres from Kolkata. Police said the attackers first intercepted the Scorpio by blocking its path with another car. Shortly afterwards, a second assailant arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire from the left side of the vehicle.
The driver, Buddhadeb Bera, was also seriously injured in the attack.
After the shooting, the attackers abandoned the car at the scene and fled on the motorcycle. Police have seized the vehicle used in the attack and said its number plate was found to be fake.
According to the preliminary findings of the forensic team, investigators suspect that a modern firearm, possibly a Glock 47X pistol, was used in the attack. Police believe the shooting may have been pre-planned and said the attackers may have monitored Rath’s movements for the previous two to three days.
Investigators said the motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet and the motorcycle did not carry a number plate, indicating an attempt to conceal identity.
Following the incident, Suvendu Adhikari described the attack as a “pre-planned murder” and said it could be linked to political violence. He appealed to party workers to maintain peace and said the BJP would continue its campaign against “hooliganism and crime” in the state.
The incident triggered a political confrontation between the ruling All India Trinamool Congress and the BJP. The Trinamool Congress rejected the BJP’s allegations and demanded an impartial investigation into the case.
The party said the matter should be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation under court supervision to ensure the facts are established. It also called for impartial investigations into all political killings.
Hasirani Rath, the mother of the deceased, alleged that her son had been deliberately targeted. She claimed that threats against him had increased following political changes and said provocative statements made during the election atmosphere had contributed to such incidents.
She demanded strict punishment for the accused and said they should receive no less than life imprisonment.
The incident has renewed political debate over the law and order situation in West Bengal. Opposition parties alleged that incidents of political violence have been increasing in the state and accused the administration of failing to prevent them.
Police have formed multiple teams to investigate the case and are examining whether the attack was linked to political rivalry, personal enmity or an organised criminal network.
Officials said forensic evidence, CCTV footage and mobile location data are being analysed to identify and trace the accused.
The incident has heightened political tensions in the state, with both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress accusing each other over the matter.
