Gunmen on motorcycles shoot dead Suvendu Adhikari aide in coordinated attack
Investigators probing the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, believe the killing was a carefully planned attack involving fake number plates, motorcycle-borne assailants and sophisticated firearms.
Rath was shot dead late Wednesday night in Madhyamgram while returning home in his car.
Car intercepted before attack
According to investigators, Rath’s vehicle was intercepted near Doltala around 10.30 pm by a car carrying a fake number plate. Motorcycle-borne attackers, who had reportedly been tailing him, then surrounded the vehicle.
The fake-number vehicle allegedly forced Rath’s car to halt in the middle of the road, after which gunmen opened fire through the window at close range before fleeing the scene.
Officials said the occupants of the suspicious car later abandoned the vehicle and escaped on motorcycles.
Victim declared brought dead
Doctors at the hospital confirmed that Rath was brought dead with multiple bullet injuries to his chest, including one that pierced his heart.
A witness told NDTV that the attack appeared highly professional.
“Just as Chandra’s car crossed mine, it suddenly stopped mid-way, and a bike-borne person came and started shooting on the left side of the car… The attacker seemed to be a professional… He fled immediately… The shots were fired at point-blank range… I heard the sound of 2 rounds… This incident occurred between 10.30 pm and 11 pm,” the witness said.
Fake plates, sophisticated weapons under scanner
Preliminary investigation suggests the attackers used four motorcycles and a car during the operation, which took place around 170 metres from Rath’s residence.
Siddh Nath Gupta confirmed that the suspicious vehicle used to block Rath’s path had a fake registration plate.
“A suspicious vehicle that allegedly blocked the way of Rath’s car has been seized. However, the number plate attached to it was found to be fake,” he said.
Police also found that the motorcycles involved reportedly had no registration plates, while the seized car’s chassis number may have been tampered with.
Investigators suspect the assailants used sophisticated firearms, possibly Glock 47X pistols.
“A weapon of this nature is generally not used by ordinary criminals. We are examining whether professional shooters were involved,” a senior West Bengal Police officer said.
Police recovered empty cartridges and live ammunition from the crime scene.
“We have recovered empty cartridges and live ammunition from the crime spot. At this stage, the motive behind the attack is not clear,” the DGP added.
Political blame game begins
The killing triggered sharp political reactions, with BJP leaders accusing the Trinamool Congress of fostering violence in the state.
BJP leader Devdas Mondal described Rath as an “innocent man” and demanded justice, while BJP spokesperson Nikhil Prasun alleged a “deeper conspiracy” behind the murder.
Suvendu Adhikari termed the incident a “cold-blooded murder” and claimed the attackers had conducted reconnaissance before carrying out the shooting.
The Trinamool Congress later condemned the incident in a post on X.
The murder comes shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a sweeping victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in the state.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
