The sensational murder of Chandranath Rath, who served as the personal assistant to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, has resulted in a major development in the case with the arrest of 3 suspects from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. According to the West Bengal Police Special Investigation Team, the murder was a “very high-level, co-ordinated and very professional operation” carried out by multiple attackers with inter-state links.
Rath was murdered while driving home in his SUV on May 6, 2026 at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district. The incident occurred just three days after the West Bengal state assembly elections, which led to widespread political condemnation across the state. The Barasat court has ordered the 3 people to remain in law enforcement custody till 24th May for further interrogation.
Arrests Conducted In Multi-State Investigation
According to law enforcement officials, all 3 suspects identified have now been arrested in connection with a major police operation involving SIT, CID and local police agencies working out of the States of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Those apprehended include Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya and Raj Singh.
As the investigation continues, police sources indicate that Raj Singh is believed to be a trained hitman for hire. The 3 persons were apprehended in Ballia, Maharashtra, and in Buxar, Bihar. Then, they were further extradited back to West Bengal for further investigation.
read also: Explosive Items Discovered on PM Modi’s Convoy Route
What occurred when the attack took place?
The police have reported that Rath was leaving Doltala at approximately 22:30 hrs when he was ambushed by his attackers who quickly surrounded him and shot him multiple times with close range weapons as well as his driver, who is being treated for an unknown injury. The number of bullet holes in the car leads law enforcement to believe this was an orchestrated attack.
Law enforcement agencies believe this was a hit and that those who perpetrated this act were probably hired killers who came from outside West Bengal.
read also: Vijay secures 120 MLAs in 92 hours
Key evidence in UPI Toll Payment
Digital evidence will no doubt lead law enforcement to evaluate this area of investigation regarding the actions of the pallbearers who carried the deceased through a toll booth and paid for that toll at the Nivedita Setu. This evidence will lead police to the location of the defendant(s)’ vehicle(s) based upon the time stamp of the defendant(s) location, verifying that all eight (8) individuals who committed the construction of the toll plaza and the assault of the victim are involved together as a conspiracy.
The level of fictitious vehicle registration that the defendants used and the level of communication with each other as well as the amount of surveillance being conducted of Rath, could be explored through imaging analysis from both the toll booth camera and the public security camera located at the Nivedita Setu, depending upon the time frame established through the toll booth images as to when the assault actually took place.
Political Tensions Rising
This murder has elevated the tense political atmosphere in the state of West Bengal even more than before. The BJP leadership has called this murder a political hit and has requested that a high-level investigation be conducted into the case. This murder occurred just prior to the inauguration of the new BJP state government; therefore, it has much political significance in addition to having a critical criminal significance.
According to family reports, Chandranath Rath was an ally of Suvendu Adhikari for almost 5 years, and was said to be one of Mr. Adhikari’s most trusted aides, as well as having received death threats after the election from social media; family members reported these threats to their local (state) security agencies.
The investigations being conducted by CID and SIT will determine whether the murders were due to political, or personal rivalries or part of a larger conspiracy. Officials stated that they do not rule out further arrests in this investigation in the near future.
Investigation Continues Across States
Investigation has now extended beyond West Bengal as Police in different areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar continue to conduct raids and verify locations of other co-conspirators in collaboration with Odisha Police.
A senior officer advises that the current investigation will provide for background information concerning financial transactions, mobile communication, and travel records of all suspects in conjunction with this investigation. The three arrested individuals may have further information regarding these cases.
