The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken over the investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant of BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari. The agency has formed a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a DIG-rank officer to investigate the high-profile killing.
Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel, was shot near Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district on the night of May 6. He later died during treatment at a hospital. The murder triggered a major political controversy in West Bengal, with opposition parties demanding an impartial investigation under court supervision.
Three accused, Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya, and Raj Singh, have been arrested in connection with the case. A court has sent all three to police custody till May 24. Public Prosecutor Bivas Chatterjee said additional charges related to destruction of evidence were also added during the court proceedings.
“Three persons have been arrested, and the court has sent them to police custody till May 24. We also sought the addition of sections related to destruction of evidence, which has been accepted by the court,” Chatterjee told reporters.
According to investigators, Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya were detained from Bihar’s Buxar district, while Raj Singh was arrested in Uttar Pradesh after a joint operation by the STF and local police.
UPI Payment Became Key Clue in Investigation
Police officials said the accused allegedly made a critical mistake while fleeing after the murder. During their escape, they reportedly used a UPI transaction to pay toll charges at a toll plaza, which helped investigators trace their location and movements.
CCTV footage from the toll plaza also captured visuals of the suspects and their vehicle. Investigators believe the attackers used cloned number plates on the getaway car in an attempt to mislead the police, but the digital trail exposed the operation.
Sources said the attackers had carefully planned the murder and monitored Rath’s movements before carrying out the shooting.
Calling the incident a “premeditated murder,” Suvendu Adhikari earlier claimed that Rath was targeted because of his close association with him.
“This was a planned operation. A recce was conducted for several days, and the victim was followed before being shot at close range,” Adhikari had said.
Arrest of Raj Singh Sparks Political Attention
The arrest of Raj Singh has generated significant attention due to his alleged political connections in Uttar Pradesh. Raj Singh, also known as Chandan, is a resident of Ballia district and has reportedly been associated with local BJP-linked activities and social organisations.
Photographs of him with political leaders and BJP figures have surfaced on social media after his arrest. Reports also claim he was preparing to contest local elections later this year.
Police sources describe Raj Singh as a “professional shooter” and are investigating his alleged links with criminal networks operating across Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. He had earlier faced allegations in a 2020 murder case and was reportedly out on bail.
However, his family has denied all accusations. His mother, Jamvanti Singh, claimed he was falsely implicated and said he was returning from a wedding function in Lucknow when he was arrested near Ayodhya.
Meanwhile, both the Trinamool Congress and the West Bengal Congress have demanded a fair and independent investigation into the murder case.
