Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant and close aide of opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead on May 6 in West Bengal, prompting an intensive investigation by the state police’s Special Task Force (STF), which has now detained three suspects from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
According to sources, the STF conducted raids in Buxar district of Bihar and Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, where the suspects were detained. The individuals taken into custody have been identified as Mayank Mishra, Vicky Maurya, and alleged shooter Raj Singh. Police have brought all three to Kolkata for questioning.
Authorities in the concerned states have declined to share detailed information officially, citing the sensitive nature of the investigation.
The 42-year-old Rath was shot dead in the Madhyamgram area of North 24 Parganas district while returning home from Kolkata. Police said assailants followed his Scorpio vehicle and intercepted it near Doharia Junction before opening fire repeatedly.
Rath sustained three bullet injuries to the chest and abdomen and died at the scene, according to investigators.
The incident occurred two days after election results were announced in the state, further intensifying the political atmosphere.
Investigating agencies suspect the killing was carried out in a highly planned manner and believe professional shooters and contract killers may have been involved.
Police recovered a suspected vehicle allegedly used to follow Rath’s Scorpio. Investigators found that the vehicle carried a fake registration number plate and that its chassis and engine numbers had been tampered with.
One of the two motorcycles allegedly used in the attack was later recovered near a tea stall around four kilometres from the crime scene. Police said the motorcycle also carried a fake registration number, while the second motorcycle has not yet been traced.
According to investigating officers, the attackers used a Glock 47X pistol during the shooting. Security experts cited by investigators said such advanced weapons are not commonly accessible to ordinary criminals and are generally associated with trained shooters.
Police are also examining whether the killing was solely part of a criminal conspiracy or if there could be political links behind the murder.
Before entering politics, Chandranath Rath had served as an officer in the Indian Air Force. After taking voluntary retirement, he worked briefly in the corporate sector before joining political activities.
Rath had worked with Suvendu Adhikari since the period when the latter was associated with the All India Trinamool Congress. He later remained among Adhikari’s close associates after the leader joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
In 2019, Rath became part of Adhikari’s official team and was entrusted with important election management responsibilities in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency.
Rath’s family also had prior political links with the Trinamool Congress. His mother, Hashi Rath, had held responsibilities at the panchayat level in East Midnapore district before later joining the Bharatiya Janata Party along with Suvendu Adhikari.
People close to Rath described him as soft-spoken and low-profile, saying he largely stayed away from public attention and media visibility despite his long political association.
Police investigators have examined CCTV footage showing Rath’s Scorpio vehicle along with the suspected vehicle that was allegedly following him. Agencies are now using digital evidence, mobile location data, and seized vehicles to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify the full conspiracy behind the killing.
Police officials said the investigation is progressing rapidly and further developments are expected in the coming days.
