CBI Takes Over Probe Into Murder of West Bengal Leader’s Aide
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has assumed control of the murder probe for Chandranath Rath, aide to West Bengal politician Suvendu Adhikari. Rath was fatally shot in a sophisticated ambush in North 24 Parganas using a rare Austrian Glock pistol. Investigators traced suspects via a UPI toll payment and CCTV, leading to the arrest of three individuals from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, including an alleged sharpshooter. The case involves an eight-person conspiracy with inter-state links, prompting the transfer to federal authorities to ensure an impartial inquiry into the high-profile political assassination.
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CBI Takes Over Probe into Murder of Suvendu Adhikari's Aide
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially assumed control of the murder investigation concerning Chandranath Rath, a close aide to prominent political figure Suvendu Adhikari. This transfer of authority follows a formal recommendation from the Bengal Police, aiming to ensure a thorough and impartial inquiry into the high-profile crime. Rath was fatally shot by unidentified assailants on motorcycles in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. In significant progress prior to the CBI's involvement, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had already arrested three suspects, including an alleged sharpshooter, across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. To manage the complex investigation, the CBI has constituted a specialized seven-member team. This development marks a critical juncture in the case, shifting the investigative burden from state police to the central agency amidst heightened political scrutiny. The move underscores the sensitivity of the case given the victim's connection to a key political leader. Authorities are expected to delve deeper into the conspiracy behind the targeted killing, examining potential motives and broader networks involved in the execution of the crime.
Times of IndiaUPI Payment Clue Leads to Arrests in Murder of West Bengal Leader's Aide
West Bengal police have arrested three suspects in the contract killing of Chandranath Rath, a personal aide to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The breakthrough came after investigators traced a UPI payment made at the Bali Toll Plaza by the accused while fleeing the crime scene. Combined with CCTV footage showing the suspects using a cloned vehicle with fake number plates, this digital trail led authorities to apprehend Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya in Bihar, and Raj Singh in Uttar Pradesh. The murder, executed on May 6 in North 24 Parganas, involved a sophisticated plot using a modern Austrian-made Glock pistol. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) believes the shooters were hired professionals assisted by local planners. While the primary motive remains under investigation, potential angles include political enmity, business disputes, or personal grudges. The case has escalated into an inter-state probe as agencies work to identify the mastermind behind the conspiracy. This high-profile arrest has highlighted both the criminals' technical cunning and the effectiveness of digital forensic tracking in modern policing, raising significant questions about law and order in the region.
India Today | Latest StoriesUPI Toll Payment Trail Leads Police to Suspects in Murder of Suvendu Adhikari's Aide
Police in West Bengal have achieved a significant breakthrough in the murder investigation of Chandranath Rath, a personal aide to prominent politician Suvendu Adhikari. The critical lead emerged from digital forensic analysis of a UPI toll payment, which allowed investigators to trace the vehicle used by the attackers. Consequently, law enforcement authorities arrested three suspects hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Preliminary investigations indicate that a total of eight individuals were involved in the conspiracy. Rath was fatally shot near his residence in a targeted attack where the assailants utilized a car equipped with fake license plates to evade immediate detection. Among the accused, police identified one individual as a trained sharpshooter responsible for the fatal shots. While three arrests have been made, active raids are ongoing to locate and apprehend the remaining five accomplices. This case highlights the increasing role of digital financial trails in solving serious violent crimes in India. The incident has drawn considerable attention due to the victim's close association with a high-profile political figure, raising concerns about security and targeted violence in the region.
Times of IndiaThree Arrested in Uttar Pradesh for Killing of Suvendu Adhikari’s Aide
Indian authorities have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to West Bengal Chief Minister and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The arrests were made in Uttar Pradesh by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising CID and STF officers, following a probe into the shooting that occurred in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, on May 6, 2026. One suspect, Vishal Srivastava, is from Bihar, while the other two are residents of Uttar Pradesh. Police suspect one of the accused is a professional sharpshooter and believe the attackers conducted detailed reconnaissance before executing the hit. The investigation, which involved eight individuals in total, relied on digital tracking and technical surveillance to trace interstate links. A significant development in the case is the identification of the murder weapon as an Austrian-made Glock 47X pistol, a sophisticated firearm that has raised concerns among state and central intelligence agencies. This breakthrough marks a critical step in solving the high-profile political assassination, highlighting the cross-state nature of the criminal conspiracy.
The Indian ExpressThree Arrested in Murder of Suvendu Adhikari's Aide; Police Suspect Hired Sharpshooters
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested three individuals in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to prominent West Bengal politician Suvendu Adhikari. The investigation reveals that the killing was a highly coordinated ambush lasting only 50 seconds, executed with military-style precision. Authorities suspect that professional sharpshooters were hired from outside West Bengal, specifically from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, to carry out the contract killing. This suggests a well-planned operation involving inter-state criminal networks. The SIT is currently probing these cross-border links and the motive behind the targeted assassination. The incident has heightened security concerns for political figures in the region, as the sophistication of the attack indicates significant planning and resources. As the probe continues across multiple states, police are focusing on the financial trails and communication records of the accused to uncover the masterminds behind the crime. The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in a case that has drawn widespread attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim's employer and the brazen execution of the crime.
Times of IndiaProbe into Murder of Suvendu Adhikari's Aide Hinges on Survivor Testimony; No Arrests Yet
Four days after the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, police have not made any arrests. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is relying heavily on the testimony of Montu Mondal, the sole survivor who escaped by hiding in the back of the SUV. Investigators are tracing two primary leads: a UPI transaction made at the Bally toll plaza by occupants of a silver hatchback used to block Rath’s vehicle, and a fake number plate linked to a car in Siliguri. The hatchback’s plate was likely cloned using online photos. Additionally, the murder weapon has been identified as an Austrian-made Glock 47X pistol, raising concerns about potential international or cross-border criminal links due to the firearm's rarity in India. The SIT, formed jointly by the CID and STF, has questioned seven individuals but cites the survivor's fragile mental state as a factor slowing progress. Authorities are examining multiple motives, including personal enmity and criminal conspiracy, while tracking connections between local planners and out-of-state hitmen.
The Indian ExpressUPI Payment at Toll Booth Provides Key Lead in Murder of Suvendu Adhikari's Aide
Investigators have identified a crucial digital trail in the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to West Bengal leader Suvendu Adhikari. A UPI payment made by suspects at a toll booth in Bally, near Kolkata, is being used alongside CCTV footage to map the assailants' movements and escape route. Rath was shot dead at point-blank range on Wednesday night in Madhyamgram after his SUV was intercepted by a silver Nissan Micra. Police describe the attack as a premeditated and professionally executed operation, noting that shooters knew Rath's exact seating position. At least eight individuals are suspected to be involved, including local logistical supporters and shooters potentially brought in from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Authorities have seized the vehicle used in the crime and two motorcycles, which appear to be stolen. While three individuals have been detained for questioning, no formal arrests have been made four days after the incident. Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel, was honored with a public tribute in his native village. The Special Investigation Team continues to trace all accomplices involved in this high-profile political killing.
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