CBI Takes Over Probe Into Murder of West Bengal CM’s Aide
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has assumed control of the murder investigation of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Rath was assassinated in Madhyamgram on May 6, 2026, shortly after state election results. West Bengal police, aided by digital forensic evidence from a UPI transaction, arrested three suspects from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The case has sparked significant political controversy, with allegations of conspiracy and procedural violations, prompting the transfer to the central agency to ensure an impartial probe into the high-profile political killing.
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CBI Conducts Searches in Multiple Locations Over Killing of Adhikari's Aide
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted search operations at multiple locations in connection with the murder of Chandrakant Rath, an aide to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The searches began late on the night of May 15, 2026, and continued into the early hours of May 16. The CBI took over the investigation from the West Bengal Police following a state government request, forming a seven-member special team led by a DIG from Delhi. Rath was shot dead on May 6 in Madhyamgram, just two days after the West Bengal Assembly election results were declared. Prior to the CBI's involvement, state police arrested three suspects—Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya, and Raj Singh—from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Authorities believe at least eight individuals were involved in the conspiracy and execution of the murder, which involved detailed reconnaissance and the use of vehicles with fake number plates. The investigation team will report to the Joint Director in Kolkata as they probe the politically sensitive assassination.
News Today: Breaking News, Top Headlines & Live Updates | The HinduCounsel Welcomes CBI Probe in Suvendu Adhikari Aide Murder; Accused's Mother Claims Framing
The legal counsel for Raj Singh, arrested in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, has welcomed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) taking over the case. Advocate Harivansh Singh criticized the West Bengal Police for alleged procedural violations during his client's arrest, claiming they failed to obtain necessary transit remand from Ayodhya before transporting Singh to Kolkata. Meanwhile, Raj Singh’s mother, Jamwanti Singh, asserted that her son was framed. She stated that Raj and four others were detained by police on May 9 while returning from a wedding in Lucknow and a visit to a shrine in Ambedkar Nagar. The victim, Chandranath Rath, was shot dead in Madhyamgram on May 6, shortly after the West Bengal Assembly election results. The CBI registered an FIR and assumed control of the investigation following a request from the state government. Three individuals, including Raj Singh, were arrested from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar based on leads from a UPI transaction. The case highlights tensions between state police actions and federal investigative oversight in a high-profile political killing.
News Today: Breaking News, Top Headlines & Live Updates | The HinduPolice Arrest Three Suspects in Chandranath Rath Murder Using UPI Clue
West Bengal police have arrested three suspects—Raj Singh, Mayank Raj Mishra, and Vicky Maurya—in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The investigation overcame significant obstacles, including fake license plates and abandoned vehicles, by employing a reverse search strategy. A crucial breakthrough occurred when investigators traced a UPI payment made at the Bali toll plaza near Howrah by the perpetrators using the getaway car. This digital footprint allowed authorities to identify the suspects despite their use of forged identities and vehicles. The shooters had intercepted Rath’s vehicle in Madhyagram on May 6, opened fire, and fled on motorcycles after abandoning their Nissan Micra. While the three shooters are now in CID custody for interrogation, the mastermind behind the conspiracy remains at large. The case highlights the effectiveness of digital forensic techniques in modern criminal investigations, as police tracked the suspects from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar back to West Bengal through meticulous analysis of CCTV footage and financial transactions.
India Today | Latest StoriesCBI Takes Over Probe Into Murder of Suvendu Adhikari's Aide After Three Arrests
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken charge of the investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, following a request from the West Bengal state government. The CBI re-registered the FIR originally filed by local police and will conduct an independent inquiry into the killing, which occurred on May 6 in Madhyamgram, just days after intense Assembly election results. Prior to the handover, West Bengal Police arrested three suspects—Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya, and Raj Singh—from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. A crucial digital trail involving a UPI transaction at a toll plaza helped track the vehicle used in the ambush. Investigators believe at least eight individuals were involved in this pre-planned assassination. The case has escalated political tensions in post-poll West Bengal, with opposition parties alleging political motives while ruling factions deny such claims. The CBI team is set to begin its fresh probe, aiming to uncover the wider conspiracy and determine the motive behind the targeted killing that has intensified unrest in the region.
India Today | Latest StoriesCBI Takes Over Probe into Murder of West Bengal CM's Aide
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken over the investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The agency formed a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a Deputy Inspector General, comprising experienced officers from multiple states to ensure a comprehensive and time-bound probe. This development occurred shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a landslide victory in the state assembly elections. Rath was shot dead on May 6, 2026, in Madhyamgram, near Kolkata, in an attack described by BJP leaders as a planned assassination. Three suspects, identified as Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya, and Raj Singh, were arrested in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Investigators traced them through UPI payment records at a toll plaza. The CBI is examining interstate criminal links and the larger conspiracy behind the killing, including who masterminded the act and financed it. The accused have been remanded to police custody until May 24, while investigators continue to question them about how they obtained precise information regarding Rath's movements.
News Today: Breaking News, Top Headlines & Live Updates | The HinduCBI Takes Over Probe Into Murder of Suvendu Adhikari's Aide
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has assumed control of the investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Rath was killed in a brutal ambush on May 6 in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, when his SUV was intercepted by assailants on motorcycles who opened fire. His driver survived with serious injuries. A seven-member Special Investigation Team led by DIG Pankaj Kumar Singh has been formed to handle the case, taking over FIR No. 353/2026. Three key suspects have been arrested in a joint operation involving police from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The primary suspect, Raj Singh alias Chandan Singh, a sharpshooter with a prior criminal record, was out on bail at the time of the killing. Two other suspects, Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya from Bihar, were apprehended using technical intelligence. This high-profile transfer of the case to the central agency underscores the political sensitivity and severity of the crime involving a top state official's aide.
The Indian ExpressThree Arrested in Murder of West Bengal CM's Aide; Probe Transferred to CBI
West Bengal police have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The killing occurred on May 6 in North 24 Parganas, where Rath was shot dead inside his SUV after a seven-kilometer chase. Two suspects, Mayanak Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya, were detained in Bihar, while the alleged main contract killer, Raj Singh, was apprehended in Uttar Pradesh. Singh is reportedly linked to at least 15 other murder cases. Following political tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Trinamool Congress regarding the motive, the investigation has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A seven-member Special Investigation Team now leads the probe. The accused face charges including murder, organized crime, and criminal conspiracy, and have been remanded to police custody for 13 days. Authorities are currently working to identify the individuals who commissioned the contract killing, with officials stating that the political context surrounding the recent state elections may be relevant to the motive.
The QuintCBI Takes Over Chandranath Rath Murder Case Amid Cross-State Political Controversy
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has assumed control of the high-profile murder case of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Following a state government recommendation, the CBI re-registered the FIR and dispatched a team to West Bengal for preliminary probes. The investigation has expanded beyond Bengal, involving arrests in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, notably Raj Singh from Ballia, UP. Singh’s detention on the Ayodhya–Basti Highway has sparked significant political debate. His family denies any connection to Kolkata or the crime, alleging political vendetta due to Singh’s upcoming local election bid on a BJP ticket. Conversely, investigators are scrutinizing Singh’s criminal history, including a prior murder charge, and his social media associations with BJP leaders. Opposition parties have amplified these connections, framing the case as politically motivated. With evidence gathering spanning mobile data, financial records, and interrogations across three states, the CBI’s involvement aims to uncover whether the killing was an act of personal enmity or part of a larger political conspiracy. The case remains a focal point of tension between regional political factions.
India Today | Latest StoriesChandranath Rath Murder: Accused Raj Singh's Family Claims Political Conspiracy Ahead of Elections
Raj Singh, also known as Chandan, has been detained by police near Ayodhya in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari. Singh, the General Secretary of Kshatriya Mahasabha, was arrested following a joint operation involving police forces from West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. His family strongly contests the arrest, alleging it is a politically motivated conspiracy. Singh’s sister, a High Court lawyer, claims he was being prepared to contest upcoming block chief elections for the BJP and was made a scapegoat due to political rivalry. She further stated that no family members visited Kolkata, making his involvement impossible. Singh’s mother also disputed the official arrest records, claiming he was forcibly taken from Ayodhya while returning from a wedding. Despite these claims, police highlight Singh’s prior criminal history, including bail in a 2020 murder case, and note his connections with local political leaders. He has been handed over to West Bengal Police custody as investigators explore links between the Uttar Pradesh-based accused and the crime committed in Kolkata.
India Today | Latest StoriesCBI Takes Over Probe Into Murder of Suvendu Adhikari's Aide After Three Arrests
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially assumed control of the investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to West Bengal politician Suvendu Adhikari. This transfer of authority follows a recommendation by the West Bengal Police and occurs just one day after the arrest of three suspected sharpshooters in Uttar Pradesh. The CBI announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which will operate under the supervision of the Joint Director of the Kolkata Zone to ensure an effective probe. The suspects were apprehended based on technical surveillance and digital tracking, then remanded to 13-day police custody in North 24 Parganas. Rath was shot dead on May 6, shortly after West Bengal Assembly election results were declared. His vehicle was intercepted by assailants on motorcycles near Madhyamgram, resulting in his immediate death and critical injuries to his driver, Buddhadeb Bera, who is currently recovering. The timing of the murder, occurring amidst significant political shifts in the state, has drawn considerable attention to the case.
NDTV News Search Records Found 1000Three Arrested in Murder of West Bengal CM's Aide Chandranath Rath
West Bengal Police have arrested three suspects from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The arrests were made by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) following technical surveillance and digital tracking efforts that led investigators to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The accused, including Vishal Srivastava from Bihar and two others from Uttar Pradesh, were remanded to 13-day police custody by a court in North 24 Parganas. Rath was shot dead on May 6, just two days after the West Bengal assembly election results were declared and shortly before the formation of the new government. Authorities indicate that at least eight individuals were involved in the conspiracy and execution of the crime. The Criminal Investigation Department of West Bengal Police has taken charge of the investigation, highlighting the high-profile nature of the case given the victim's close association with the state's political leadership during a sensitive post-election period.
Economic TimesArrest in West Bengal CM's PA Murder Case Sparks Political Controversy in UP
Police have arrested Raj Singh, also known as Chandan, in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The arrest, made in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, has triggered a political storm after photos of Singh with prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Uttar Pradesh went viral on social media. Singh was reportedly seen at a high-profile wedding in Lucknow alongside UP government minister Dayashankar Singh and other BJP legislators shortly before his capture. While Bengal Police transferred him from Bihar on transit remand to investigate the conspiracy, Singh’s family alleges he is innocent and falsely implicated. His mother, Jamwanti Devi, stated they have no ties to Kolkata and claimed he was not present during the crime. Singh, a general secretary of the Kshatriya Mahasabha with a prior criminal record involving a 2020 murder case where he was on bail, is now central to an investigation that has heightened tensions between Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Authorities are currently examining his specific role and the broader conspiracy behind the assassination.
India Today | Latest StoriesMother of Arrested Accused in Bengal PA Murder Claims Son's Innocence, Alleges Fake Arrest
Jamavanti Singh, the mother of Raj Singh (alias Chandan), has vehemently protested her son's arrest in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to West Bengal politician Suvendu Adhikari. Raj Singh was apprehended by a joint police task force from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. However, his mother filed a complaint with the Azamgarh Range DIG, claiming the arrest is fabricated. She asserts that Raj Singh was with her in Ayodhya for religious darshan on May 9, 2026, and was detained there, contrary to police records stating he was arrested in Buxar, Bihar. Jamavanti Singh described her son as innocent and falsely implicated in a conspiracy. Raj Singh, a local political figure in Ballia and general secretary of the Kshatriya Mahasabha, is currently in Bengal police custody. He faces charges alongside two other accused individuals. Notably, Singh has a prior criminal record, having been previously linked to a 2020 murder case in Ballia, for which he is out on bail. This development adds complexity to the high-profile investigation into the targeted killing of the political aide.
India Today | Latest StoriesThree Suspects Arrested in Murder of West Bengal Leader Suvendu Adhikari’s Aide
West Bengal police have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to BJP leader and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The arrests were made in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar following a critical investigative lead involving a UPI payment recorded at a toll booth near Kolkata. The accused, identified as Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya, and Raj Singh, were remanded to 13 days of police custody by the Barasat court for further interrogation. Rath was shot dead on May 6, 2026, in Madhyamgram, just two days after the BJP secured a majority victory in the state elections. Authorities believe the killing was executed by trained assassins as part of a pre-planned conspiracy, potentially motivated by political revenge. Charges include murder, organized crime, and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanghita, along with violations of the Arms Act. Police have seized vehicles with fake number plates used in the crime and suspect additional accomplices remain at large. The incident has sparked significant political debate regarding post-election violence in the region.
News Today: Breaking News, Top Headlines & Live Updates | The HinduRaj Singh Arrested in Murder of West Bengal CM's PA; Bihar Shooters Detained
Raj Singh, also known as Chandan, has been arrested in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The arrest was executed through a joint operation by Kolkata and Uttar Pradesh police. Rath was killed on May 6 in Madhyagram, North 24 Parganas, by masked assailants. Investigators traced the suspects after they inadvertently used a UPI transaction to pay toll taxes at Bali Toll Plaza while fleeing, despite using a vehicle with cloned number plates to evade detection. Alongside Singh, two professional shooters from Bihar, Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya, were detained in Buxar. Singh, a resident of Ballia with a prior criminal record for murder, was apprehended in Ayodhya. Police are currently interrogating the suspects in Kolkata to uncover the primary motive and identify the mastermind behind the targeted killing. The case highlights significant cross-state criminal networks involving individuals from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
India Today | Latest StoriesThree Arrested in Murder of West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari's Aide
Police in West Bengal have arrested three individuals from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) detained the suspects after tracing digital clues and interstate links following the killing in Madhyamgram on May 6. One suspect, Vishal Srivastava, is from Bihar, while the other two are from Uttar Pradesh, with one suspected to be a sharpshooter. Investigators revealed that at least eight people were involved in the meticulously planned conspiracy, which included detailed reconnaissance. A crucial breakthrough occurred when investigators tracked a UPI transaction made at a toll plaza by one of the attackers, leading to the identification of a mobile number and subsequent suspect locations. The arrested men are expected to be brought to West Bengal on transit remand for interrogation. Police are currently matching their identities with CCTV footage and continue raids to locate remaining conspirators. The murder took place just two days after the intense West Bengal assembly election results, raising political tensions.
Economic TimesThree Arrested in Murder of West Bengal Leader Suvendu Adhikari's Aide
Police in West Bengal have arrested three individuals from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The arrests were made by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) following digital tracking and interstate surveillance. The victim was shot dead in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, on May 6, 2026. According to senior police officers, this development marks a significant breakthrough, confirming that the assailants originated from outside West Bengal. One of the arrested men, identified as Vishal Srivastava from Buxar district in Bihar, is suspected to be a sharpshooter, while the other two suspects are from Uttar Pradesh. Investigators revealed that at least eight people were involved in the conspiracy and execution of the crime, which included detailed reconnaissance prior to the attack. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) continues to probe the case, linking the violence to broader political tensions in the region. This incident highlights ongoing post-poll violence and security challenges in West Bengal, drawing attention to the interstate networks allegedly supporting such criminal activities.
News Today: Breaking News, Top Headlines & Live Updates | The HinduSuspect Arrested in Ayodhya for Murder of West Bengal CM's Aide; UP-Bihar Links Emerge
The investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has expanded across state lines, revealing connections to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In a significant development, police jointly arrested Raj Singh, a resident of Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, who was hiding in Ayodhya. Singh was subsequently transferred to Kolkata for interrogation. Simultaneously, the West Bengal Special Task Force conducted raids in Buxar, Bihar, detaining notorious criminal Vishal Srivastava, who was later released after questioning. Investigators have identified a crucial digital lead involving a UPI payment made by suspects at a toll plaza near Bally, which is being used to trace the accused's movements via CCTV footage. Rath, a former Air Force officer, was fatally shot near his residence in Madhyamgram after his vehicle was intercepted by a silver Nissan Micra. Bike-borne assailants opened fire at close range, suggesting a pre-planned attack with prior knowledge of the victim's routine. Police have recovered the suspected getaway vehicles, including the Nissan Micra and two motorcycles, which are believed to be stolen.
India Today | Latest StoriesThree Arrested in Murder of West Bengal CM's Aide
Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari, identified in the report as West Bengal's new Chief Minister. The arrests were executed through a joint operation involving law enforcement agencies from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The suspects, identified as Vishal Srivastava, Raj Singh, and Mayank, were apprehended in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The breakthrough in the investigation occurred after authorities tracked a UPI digital payment made by the assailants at a toll booth in Bally, near Kolkata, using CCTV footage. Rath was shot dead at point-blank range on a Wednesday night while seated in his Mahindra Scorpio SUV, less than 200 meters from his residence in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas. Investigators revealed that Rath's vehicle was blocked by a silver Nissan Micra, allowing bike-borne attackers to carry out the shooting. The perpetrators subsequently abandoned the blocking vehicle and fled using another car and a motorcycle. This case highlights the use of digital forensic evidence in solving high-profile violent crimes in the region.
NDTV News Search Records Found 1000Bengal STF Interrogates Notorious Criminal in Bihar Linked to PA Murder Case
The West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) has intensified its investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. In a significant operational move, the STF conducted a raid in the Pandeypatti area of Buxar district, Bihar, targeting Vishal Srivastava, a notorious criminal with a lengthy history of violent offenses. Srivastava, who faces numerous pending cases including murder, robbery, and violations of the Arms Act, was detained at his hideout with assistance from local police. Following his arrest, he was transported to Kolkata for interrogation by the Bengal STF. After questioning, authorities released him. The underlying crime occurred on May 6, 2026, when Rath was ambushed by assailants on a motorcycle and shot dead at close range, while his driver sustained serious injuries. Police are currently analyzing connections between Srivastava and the hit-and-run style assassination, as they continue to search for the actual shooters and masterminds behind the attack.
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