Jharkhand vehicle angle and digital toll transaction emerge in Chandranath Rath murder probe

Fresh details have emerged in the investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, with investigators now focusing on digital payment records linked to the vehicle allegedly used in the crime. Police believe the vehicle involved in the murder was brought from Jharkhand, while CCTV footage and online toll payment records have provided new leads in the case. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers from the state police, STF and CID intelligence wing has been formed to investigate the murder.

According to investigators, a silver-coloured Nissan Micra believed to have been used during the attack crossed the Bally toll plaza shortly before the incident. Police found that the toll payment was made digitally through UPI from inside the vehicle. CCTV footage from the toll plaza has been collected, and investigators are closely examining the online transaction trail to determine who made the payment, the linked bank account details and other associated records. Police sources said several people are currently being detained and questioned, although no arrests have been made so far due to lack of conclusive evidence.

Investigators have also travelled to Uttar Pradesh in search of suspects while continuing inquiries in West Bengal. Police believe the murder was planned at least one to one-and-a-half months in advance. Officers are examining whether Chandranath Rath had any disputes or enemies during that period that could have led to the attack. Investigators remain hopeful that the combination of digital evidence, vehicle tracking and intelligence inputs will help identify those involved in the killing.

Chandranath Rath was shot dead on the night of May 6 in Madhyamgram. According to the investigation, a four-wheeler suddenly blocked Chandranath’s vehicle near the Doharia area, forcing it to stop. Attackers then arrived on two motorcycles from both sides and opened fire repeatedly at Chandranath and his driver. Investigators said the assailants first shattered the car windows before firing multiple rounds through the openings. Chandranath died at the spot, while his driver sustained bullet injuries and remains hospitalized.

Police seized the vehicle allegedly used in the crime on the day of the incident and later found that it carried a fake number plate. Two motorcycles suspected to have been used by the attackers were also recovered, including one from a walled area near the airport. Investigators found that the motorcycles too had fake number plates, while the chassis numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been scratched off or deliberately damaged to prevent identification. Following the murder, the BJP accused the Trinamool Congress of involvement, while the Trinamool Congress condemned the killing and demanded a CBI investigation under court supervision.