Probe into Killing of Suvendu Adhikari’s Close Aide Chandranath Rath Intensifies as Police Seize Suspicious Vehicle with Fake Number Plate

Hours after the brazen late-night shooting that claimed the life of Chandranath Rath, a longtime personal assistant and trusted aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal Police have ramped up their investigation, seizing a suspicious four-wheeler believed to have been used in the ambush. Authorities described the attack as professionally executed, with preliminary findings pointing to meticulous planning over several days.

Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel in his early 40s who had played a key role in coordinating Adhikari’s election campaigns in constituencies like Nandigram and Bhabanipur, was gunned down around 10:30 pm on Wednesday in the Doltala-Doharia area of Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district. According to eyewitness accounts and police reconstructions, motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted Rath’s white Scorpio SUV, forced it to stop after trailing it for some distance, and opened fire at point-blank range from both sides. He sustained fatal bullet wounds to the chest and abdomen; his driver was also critically injured and is undergoing treatment. At least six to ten rounds were fired in the coordinated assault near Jessore Road, close to Kolkata airport.

State Director General of Police (DGP) Siddhinath Gupta, who rushed to the spot along with CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh, provided the first detailed official update on the ground. “The four-wheeler used in the crime has been seized, but it appears the number plate is fake and has been tampered with. We have recovered live rounds and fired cartridges from the spot. CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts are being examined,” Gupta said. He added that at this stage, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, though investigators are treating it as a cold-blooded, pre-planned operation. Police have formed multiple teams, alerted border checkposts along Bangladesh and Jharkhand, and are analysing forensic evidence, including possible use of sophisticated firearms not typical of ordinary criminals. Shops and locals in the area are being questioned as part of the widening manhunt.

Adhikari, who reached the hospital soon after the incident and has been briefed by senior officers, described the killing as a “cold-blooded murder” that appeared to involve reconnaissance conducted over 2-3 days. However, he was careful not to jump to conclusions. “We don’t want to draw a conclusion as of now, as police are investigating the matter,” he stated, while confirming that the DGP had assured him of a thorough probe. Adhikari urged restraint amid rising tensions in the area following the recent Assembly election results. “We appeal to everyone not to take the law into their own hands,” he said, calling on BJP workers and supporters to maintain peace and have faith in the administration. He also condemned the incident as “heart-wrenching” and pledged full support to Rath’s family.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) swiftly condemned the murder while rejecting any involvement. In a statement, the party said: “We strongly condemn the brutal murder of Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram tonight, along with the killing of three other TMC workers in incidents of post-poll violence allegedly carried out by BJP-backed miscreants over the last three days, despite the Model Code of Conduct being in force.” TMC demanded “the strongest possible action in this matter, including a court-monitored CBI investigation so that those responsible are identified and brought to justice without delay.” The party emphasised that “violence and political killings have no place in a democracy.”

The incident has heightened political temperatures in West Bengal just days after the polls, with both sides trading allegations of post-poll violence. Police have so far refrained from attributing any political motive, focusing instead on evidence-based leads such as the tampered vehicle (linked to a Siliguri registration but reportedly not matching the actual owner’s car) and ballistic details. Central forces have been deployed in sensitive pockets of North 24 Parganas to prevent any flare-up.

As the investigation unfolds with CCTV analysis and forensic examination underway, officials say more details could emerge in the coming hours. Rath’s killing has once again spotlighted concerns over law and order in the state, even as the state undergoes through the cusp of political transition and shift in power. The swearing in ceremony of the new Chief Minister has ben slated for May 9 - likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and rest of the top BJP central leadership.