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The SIT probing the Suvendu Adhikari aide's assassination has arrested three suspects, pointing to a coordinated interstate hit involving hired sharpshooters.
The assassination of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, has triggered a massive cross-border investigation led by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Authorities have arrested three individuals and widened their inquiry to multiple states, suspecting that professional hitmen were hired from outside West Bengal to carry out the killing. The incident occurred on the night of May 6, when Rath was gunned down inside his vehicle near Doharia crossing in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas. The attack took place just 170 meters from Rath’s residence, marking a targeted elimination executed with alarming precision.
In the immediate aftermath, police confirmed that the assailants operated with military-style coordination, completing the ambush in barely 50 seconds. A silver-colored hatchback intercepted Rath’s car, allowing bike-borne gunmen to fire at close range. The speed and accuracy of the shots suggested the shooters knew exactly where Rath was seated. Rath’s driver, Buddhadeb Bera, sustained critical injuries and remains under medical treatment. The SIT has described the operation as swift and professionally coordinated, indicating a high level of pre-planning.
A significant breakthrough in the SIT probe came from digital forensics rather than traditional surveillance. Investigators traced a UPI payment made at the Nivedita Setu toll plaza on May 6. This digital trail led them to Jharkhand, where they believe the silver hatchback used in the murder was procured. Police noted that the attackers deliberately avoided using FASTag to prevent electronic tracking, opting instead for direct digital payments. This anomaly allowed the SIT to track the vehicle’s movement into Kolkata, providing a crucial link in the chain of evidence.
The SIT suspects at least eight people were involved in the conspiracy, including local operatives who provided logistical support to the shooters. Authorities believe the murder was planned weeks in advance and involved criminals from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand. The complexity of the network suggests a well-funded and organized criminal enterprise. Police teams have been dispatched to these states to probe possible interstate criminal links and identify remaining suspects.
CCTV footage collected from the area showed another vehicle trailing the silver hatchback during the ambush, raising questions about a larger surveillance team. Police are now examining movement patterns, escape routes, and communication records to identify the remaining suspects. The investigation has revealed that the motorcycles used by the attackers were stolen and fitted with fake number plates. Two of these motorcycles were recovered-one near the airport area and another near rail gates 11 and 12 in Barasat. Preliminary findings suggest the red hatchback also involved in the escape was similarly modified to avoid detection.
The nature of the crime has raised serious concerns about security for political figures and their aides in the region. The involvement of sharpshooters from distant states indicates a sophisticated method of execution, where criminals are brought in specifically for the hit, minimizing local ties and potential leaks. This modus operandi is increasingly concerning for law enforcement agencies tasked with maintaining political stability.
The Chandranath Rath murder underscores a disturbing trend of professionalized violence in political conflicts. The use of interstate networks and digital payment trails to mask criminal activities demonstrates how technology and geography are being exploited to evade justice. The SIT’s success in linking a UPI transaction to the procurement of the murder weapon highlights the evolving nature of investigative techniques. However, the ease with which stolen vehicles and fake plates were integrated into such a high-profile hit suggests significant weaknesses in vehicle registration monitoring across state borders. As the probe continues, the identification of the masterminds behind the order for the killing will be critical. The long-term impact could include stricter security protocols for political aides and a crackdown on interstate criminal syndicates that have begun operating with greater impunity. The current focus on digital forensics and cross-state coordination sets a new precedent for how such politically motivated crimes will be handled in the future.
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