Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation has officially registered a First Information Report in the alleged murder of Chandranath Rath, who served as an executive assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. This development follows a formal request from the state government to hand over the case, which was previously being managed by the West Bengal Police. In accordance with standard federal procedures, the agency has re-registered the state’s original FIR as its own, marking the formal commencement of an independent probe. While the CBI will now spearhead the investigation, officials noted that the agency’s final report will be submitted to a competent court, which could result in either a formal chargesheet or a closure report based on the evidence gathered.
The investigation saw a significant breakthrough earlier this week when the state police arrested three suspects in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The arrests were made possible through technical surveillance and digital tracking, with a critical lead coming from a UPI transaction made at a toll plaza. Investigators discovered that a vehicle suspected to be used by the assailants had crossed the Bally toll plaza prior to the incident, where one of the occupants used the digital payment platform to pay the toll. This digital footprint allowed the Special Investigation Team to track the suspects across state lines. The arrested individuals, identified as Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya, and Raj Singh, were apprehended following coordinated raids in Buxar and Ballia.
The victim, Chandranath Rath, was shot dead on a public road in the Madhyamgram area on May 6, just two days after the declaration of the highly competitive West Bengal Assembly election results. According to police reports, Rath was targeted in a well-planned attack at Doharia after the attackers had conducted a detailed reconnaissance of the area. He was rushed to a private hospital with critical injuries but was later declared dead by medical professionals. The authorities believe that at least eight people were involved in the conspiracy and execution of the killing. The arrested suspects currently face charges including murder, criminal conspiracy, and the possession of illegal arms under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The transition of the case to the CBI is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the high-profile murder, which has significantly impacted the political atmosphere in the state. Initial reports from the SIT had involved a case of mistaken identity regarding one of the suspects, a detail that has since been rectified by the investigating officers. As the federal agency takes the lead, the focus will remain on identifying the remaining conspirators and uncovering the full extent of the plan behind the assassination of Rath. The case continues to be a point of intense public and political interest given the victim’s close professional ties to the Chief Minister.
