What happened on the night Suvendu Adhikari aide Chandranath Rath was shot dead? Explained

The killing of Chandranath Rath, a close aide and executive assistant to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, has triggered fresh political tensions in West Bengal after gunmen allegedly ambushed his vehicle near Madhyamgram on Wednesday night.

Rath, popularly known as “Chandra” among BJP workers, was travelling toward his residence in Barasat in a Scorpio SUV when the attack took place around 11 p.m., according to police officials and eyewitnesses. He was seated in the front passenger seat when assailants allegedly intercepted the vehicle, opened fire through the window and fled the spot.

Investigators said a car first blocked the SUV on a rain-soaked stretch of road, forcing it to slow down. Moments later, two men on a motorcycle reportedly approached the vehicle and fired several rounds at close range. At least three bullets struck Rath, leaving him critically injured. The driver of the SUV also sustained injuries in the attack.

Rath was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. Visuals from the scene showed shattered glass and a large bullet hole in the SUV’s window, indicating the attackers fired from extremely close range.

Police officials suspect the murder may have been carried out by professional shooters and described the attack as highly planned. Senior officers said the assailants appeared to have tracked Rath’s movement before executing the ambush.

An eyewitness, identified as local resident Sushanta Sarkar, said he rushed to the spot after hearing gunshots. Speaking to reporters, he said the road was unusually deserted because of heavy rain.

“When I reached the vehicle, I saw two injured men in the front seats covered in blood while another person in the back seat was crying for help,” Sarkar said. “People nearby arranged transport to move the injured to the hospital before police arrived.”

He added that three cartridge shells were recovered from the scene.

West Bengal Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta said investigators had seized the vehicle allegedly used to obstruct Rath’s SUV. According to police, the number plate on the suspected vehicle had been tampered with and traced to an owner in Siliguri.

“We have recovered cartridges and live rounds from the crime scene. CCTV footage is being examined and all available evidence is being processed,” Gupta told reporters.

The Criminal Investigation Department has joined the probe, while border forces have also been alerted amid concerns that the attackers could attempt to flee toward Bangladesh through porous border routes.

Rath had long been regarded as one of Adhikari’s most trusted associates. Before entering political work, he served in the Indian Air Force and later took voluntary retirement. He had remained with Adhikari since the BJP leader’s days in the Trinamool Congress and was known within Bengal BJP circles for managing key organisational and logistical responsibilities.

His mother, Hashi Rath, is a panchayat member in Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district.

Reacting to the killing, Adhikari termed the incident a “cold-blooded murder” and appealed to party workers to maintain calm.

“We are shocked and deeply pained. The police have assured us that the culprits will be identified. They believe this was a pre-planned attack carried out after detailed reconnaissance,” Adhikari said outside the hospital where Rath was taken.

The BJP leader also hinted at a possible political angle behind the killing but said the party would wait for the investigation to progress before drawing conclusions.

He further urged supporters not to resort to retaliation as large crowds gathered outside the hospital following news of Rath’s death.

The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal following the Assembly election results and a series of violent clashes reported from different districts. BJP leaders have repeatedly accused ruling party workers of targeting opposition supporters after the polls, allegations that the Trinamool Congress has denied.

The All India Trinamool Congress condemned Rath’s killing and demanded a strict investigation into the incident. In a statement posted on X, the party also referred to the deaths of several Trinamool workers in recent days and alleged that political violence was being carried out by “BJP-backed miscreants.”

The ruling party called for a court-monitored CBI inquiry to ensure those responsible for the murder are brought to justice.

The shooting has once again intensified debate over political violence in Bengal, with opposition leaders demanding stronger security measures and swift arrests. Security has been heightened in parts of North 24 Parganas and adjoining districts as the investigation continues.