BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant was shot dead in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. Investigators suspect an “execution style” murder.
West Bengal, already a hotbed of political row, saw a fresh outbreak of tensions following the murder of Chandranath Rath, an aide of BJP member Suvendu Adhikari, who was shot dead late at night on Wednesday in North 24 Parganas. The pre-planned murder sent shockwaves not only through Kolkata but also through the neighboring areas.
Rath, 41, a former Indian Air Force employee and a trusted member of Adhikari’s inner circle, was travelling in his white Scorpio SUV when motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly tailed the vehicle before intercepting it near Doharia in Madhyamgram and opening fire while he was still seated inside.
The incident comes days after the BJP secured a massive victory in West Bengal’s assembly elections, intensifying an already volatile political atmosphere in the state.
“The Shots Were Perfectly Aimed”
As per the investigators, Rath’s SUV was attacked from both sides during the attack. The driver was also injured and was rushed to a hospital in Madhyamgram before being shifted to Kolkata for further treatment.
“Rath was hit in the right abdomen and left chest. The bullets pierced through the heart,” doctors told police during the preliminary medical examination.
Police officials suspect Rath was the sole target of the attack.
“The murder seems to have been committed by professionals. Chandranath Rath, who was sitting beside the driver, was the sole target,” a police officer said.
“The shots were perfectly aimed. Not a single hit the SUV’s body or front windshield. A couple of bullets hit the driver as he was close to the target. The rest hit Rath’s vital organs,” the officer added.
Investigators now believe the attack may have involved professional shooters who had studied Rath’s movement and route in advance.
Eyewitness Says Attack Looked “Pre-Planned”
An eyewitness described the shooting as “pre-planned” and said the attackers operated at “point-blank range.”
According to the witness, Rath’s SUV had just crossed another vehicle when it suddenly stopped, and one of the bike-borne attackers opened fire from the left side.
“The person seemed to be an expert and fled immediately,” the eyewitness told ANI.
The witness also claimed hearing “the sound of two rounds” during the attack.
The incident assasination occurred around 10.30 – 11 pm, within a close distance from a hospital where locals rushed the injured victims moments later, said police.
Fake Number Plate, Mystery Hatchback Under Scanner
As investigators scanned CCTV footage and questioned locals, police identified the possible role of a Nissan Micra hatchback allegedly used during the attack.
Officials said the hatchback blocked Rath’s SUV after it slowed near a traffic signal. Investigators suspect the shooters later abandoned the vehicle at a deserted location before escaping through another route.
“We have seized a vehicle. A four-wheeler. Its number plate was tampered. The number belongs to a vehicle registered in Siliguri. We have received several live cartridges and fired cartridge cases,” West Bengal DGP Siddhinath Gupta told reporters.
The registration number was found to be registered to another car that belonged to William Joseph, who resided in Siliguri.
It was reported that the car of Willian Joseph was parked safely at his home, which is located 557 km away from Madhyamgram.
Police suspect the attackers had tracked the routine for several days before assassinating Rath.
Suvendu Adhikari Urges Restraint
As the BJP members congregated outside the hospital following the killing of Rath, they raised anti-government slogans against the ruling party, Trinamool Congress.
But Adhikari urged the people to stay peaceful despite the history of political violence in Bengal.
“We are not drawing any conclusion at this moment, although it is a fact that TMC has used terror over all these years. The DGP has assured us that a proper investigation is on. He said this was a planned murder committed in cold blood. A car was used in the crime,” Adhikari said.
“I request our people not to take the law into their hands and have faith in the administration. Justice will be done,” he added.
Adhikari further stated that investigators were still probing whether the murder had political links.
“We think the incident may or may not be related to politics. Police have found that the murder was planned over the last three or four days. A recce was done. Our party will stand by the victim’s family,” he said.
“We will wait. Police have some clues. Let them investigate this murder,” Adhikari added.
On the other hand, BJP member Agnimitra Paul saw the assassination as the outcome of Mamata Banerjee’s loss in Bhabanipur, stating,
“This is perhaps a consequence of Mamata Banerjee’s defeat in Bhabanipur.”
TMC Condemns Murder, Seeks Court-Monitored CBI Probe
The ruling Trinamool Congress condemned Rath’s killing while also alleging that several TMC workers had died in post-poll violence over recent days.
“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,” the party said in a statement.
The TMC also demanded “the strongest possible action” and called for a “court-monitored CBI investigation.”
“We demand 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. Violence and political killings have no place in a democracy, and the guilty must be held accountable at the earliest,” the statement added.
Security deployment has now been increased across Kolkata and surrounding districts amid fears that social media posts and videos linked to the murder could further escalate tensions.
Also Read: Suvendu Adhikari’s Personal Assistant shot dead in Bengal amid post poll violence
