CBI takes over Suvendu Adhikari aide Chandranath Rath’s murder probe; 7-member team formed

The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari, and constituted a seven-member Special Investigation Team to probe the case. According to officials, the SIT will function under the supervision of a DIG-rank officer and operate through the Kolkata Zone of the agency. The central agency formally assumed charge of the investigation on Tuesday after the case was transferred from the West Bengal Police.

The development came a day after three accused were arrested in connection with the murder. The accused, identified as Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya and Raj Singh, were arrested following operations conducted in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh based on technical surveillance and digital tracking inputs. A court in North 24 Parganas later remanded the three accused to 13 days of police custody till May 24.

Investigators stated that Chandranath Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel and close aide of the Chief Minister, was shot dead near Madhyamgram on the night of May 6. According to the initial investigation, Rath was returning home after attending a party programme when his vehicle was intercepted at a crossing by a four-wheeler. Police alleged that bike-borne assailants opened fire at close range after following the vehicle for some distance.

Officials said Rath died at the spot after being hit by multiple bullets, while his driver Buddhadeb Bera sustained critical injuries and was later admitted for treatment. During the court proceedings, the prosecution also sought the addition of charges related to destruction of evidence, which were subsequently added by the court.

Earlier, Suvendu Adhikari described the killing as a premeditated attack and alleged that Rath had been targeted because of his political association with him. The murder triggered political reactions across the state, following which demands were raised for an independent and transparent investigation into the case. The CBI is expected to conduct fresh questioning, forensic examination and further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.