CrimeInvestigation – Bengal Police Intensify Hunt After BJP Aide’s Killing
CrimeInvestigation – Police in West Bengal have expanded security checks and search operations across several border districts following the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close associate of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Investigators suspect the involvement of experienced contract shooters who may have entered the state from outside before carrying out the attack.
Rath, who served as Adhikari’s personal assistant, was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants in Madhyamgram of North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night. More than a day after the incident, no arrests have been made, though multiple teams from the state police and detective department continue to pursue leads.
Police Focus on Possible Interstate Connection
Senior police officials said the execution style of the murder has raised suspicion that trained shooters may have been hired for the crime. According to investigators, the attackers appeared to have studied Rath’s movements and the surrounding area before striking.
Authorities believe the assailants carried out detailed surveillance in advance and may have received support from people familiar with the locality. Officers involved in the investigation stated that the operation reflected planning and coordination rather than a spontaneous act of violence.
Border Districts Put on Alert
Following the killing, police stations across border-connected districts have been instructed to strengthen monitoring activities. Vehicle checks are being conducted at several locations, particularly along important transit routes linked to North 24 Parganas.
Investigators are also examining CCTV footage collected from areas around Jessore Road and adjoining stretches to identify the movement of suspects before and after the attack. Officials believe these recordings could help trace the escape route used by the gunmen.
Investigators Suspect Local Assistance
The inquiry has also shifted toward the possibility that local criminals may have provided logistical support to the attackers. Police sources said the speed with which the assailants disappeared through narrow lanes and internal roads suggests they either knew the area well or were guided by people familiar with the locality.
Investigators suspect the gunmen followed Rath’s vehicle for some distance before opening fire. This has led authorities to examine whether the attack was carefully timed using prior information about his movements.
Motorcycle Registration Raises New Questions
During the investigation, police recovered details linked to a motorcycle believed to have been used in the crime. Officials said the vehicle had reportedly been registered in 2012 under the name of a person from Burnpur in Asansol.
However, when officers visited the address mentioned in the registration documents, they reportedly found no trace of the individual. The development has added another layer of complexity to the investigation, with police now checking whether false identification details were used during the registration process.
Heavy Security Presence in Madhyamgram
Security arrangements have been tightened in and around Madhyamgram since the incident. Additional state police personnel and central forces have been deployed to prevent any escalation of tension in the area.
Authorities have not yet confirmed a clear motive behind the murder. Investigators are examining political, personal, and criminal angles while continuing raids and questioning individuals connected to the case. Senior officers said all possibilities remain open until concrete evidence emerges.