A major breakthrough has emerged in the investigation into the killing of Chandranath Rath, a close associate and personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, after police teams arrested three suspects during coordinated raids across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The arrests were carried out in a joint operation involving police units from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as investigators intensified efforts to trace those linked to the high-profile murder that shocked Bengal’s political circles earlier this week.
Digital Payment Trail Helped Crack Case
According to investigators, the suspects were identified after police tracked a digital payment allegedly made at a toll plaza near Bally on the outskirts of Kolkata.
Officials said the transaction created an important lead that helped investigators reconstruct the escape route used by the accused after the shooting.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Vishal Srivastava, Raj Singh and Mayank. All three are currently being questioned regarding their alleged role in the conspiracy and execution of the attack.
SIT Probing Targeted Killing
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to examine all aspects of the murder, including the planning, logistics and possible motive behind the attack.
Rath was fatally shot late Wednesday night while travelling home in his Mahindra Scorpio SUV in Madhyamgram area of North 24 Parganas district.
Police said he was seated in the front passenger seat when attackers intercepted the vehicle and opened fire from close range, killing him on the spot.
The incident occurred barely a few hundred metres from his residence.
Attackers Used Multiple Vehicles
Preliminary findings suggest the SUV carrying Rath was deliberately blocked by another vehicle before armed assailants on motorcycles approached and fired at him.
Investigators believe the attackers abandoned one of the vehicles used in the operation shortly after the shooting before escaping through alternate routes using another car and a motorcycle.
Earlier probes also indicated that the motorcycle allegedly used by the shooters had been stolen, raising suspicions that the operation was carefully planned in advance.
Political and Security Concerns Intensify
The murder has triggered major political concern in West Bengal due to Rath’s close association with Suvendu Adhikari, who recently assumed office as Chief Minister after the BJP’s historic victory in the state.
Security agencies are now examining whether the attack was linked to political rivalry, organised crime or a targeted contract killing.
Officials said forensic teams, CCTV footage and digital transaction records are being examined as the investigation continues.
