Murder of Suvendu Adhikari Aide Sparks Probe

Key Takeaways

• Chandranath Rath, aide to outgoing Leader of Opposition, was shot dead in North 24 Parganas.
• Police confirm attackers used vehicles with fake number plates to flee the scene.
• Suvendu Adhikari alleges the killing was a targeted revenge attack by hired assassins.
• Special Investigation Team formed to probe the incident amidst post-poll violence tensions.

The late-night murder of Chandranath Rath, a personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari, has triggered a high-profile investigation by West Bengal police in North 24 Parganas. Authorities have confirmed that the attackers utilized vehicles equipped with fake license plates to commit the crime and escape the area.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to delve into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, which occurred late on Wednesday night, May 6, 2026. Forensic experts were immediately deployed to the crime scene in Madhyamgram to collect crucial evidence. The incident has intensified the already volatile atmosphere following the recent West Bengal Assembly election results.

Attack Details and Police Response

Rath, 41, a former pilot who had worked in private jobs before joining Adhikari eight years ago, was shot three times at point-blank range while traveling in a white SUV. He sustained severe injuries and was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was declared dead.

West Bengal Police Director General Siddhi Nath Gupta revealed early Thursday that the attackers’ getaway vehicles bore fraudulent registration details. A silver car used in the incident was abandoned near the site and subsequently seized by authorities. Investigators discovered that the car’s original registration number belonged to Siliguri, indicating the plate had been tampered with. Additionally, one of the two-wheelers used to flee the scene was recovered and is also reported to have a fake number plate.

Siddhi Nath Gupta stated, “We have collected evidence from the spot. We are conducting further investigation.” The use of fake plates suggests a premeditated effort to evade immediate identification, a tactic often employed in targeted assassinations.

Adhikari’s Allegations and Political Fallout

Suvendu Adhikari, the outgoing Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, visited Rath’s family at Barasat Medical College and Hospital while a post-mortem was being conducted. Adhikari expressed deep grief but also strong suspicion regarding the motive.

“If he was not my aide or I did not defeat [outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee] in Bhabanipur, maybe they would not have targeted Rath. His crime was being my personal assistant,” Adhikari said. He alleged that the incident was a targeted attack by hired assassins who had conducted reconnaissance of the location for a week prior to the murder. Adhikari demanded that the perpetrators face the death penalty.

The political ramifications were immediate. BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya visited the hospital again on May 7, condemning the law and order situation in the state. He asserted that West Bengal has become a “heaven” for criminals due to the 15-year tenure of the Trinamool Congress government.

“Yesterday’s incident proves the current state of law and order in West Bengal. In the last 15 years, they have destroyed the administration and politicised the police and have made all the criminals free of fear,” Bhattacharya stated.

Eyewitness Accounts and Community Reaction

Sushanta Sarkar, a BJP worker and resident of Doharia, provided a harrowing account of the aftermath. He stated, “I heard gunshots and ran to the place. The car had three people, two of them were bleeding, and one was crying for help. But they were still alive and breathing, so we asked them to rush to the hospital where he was declared dead.” Sarkar was among the eyewitnesses who assisted the victims before they succumbed to their injuries.

Rath’s mother, grieving the loss of her son, characterized the killing as a revenge attack due to his affiliation with the BJP. While she stated, “As a mother, I cannot seek death for anyone,” she vowed to demand life imprisonment for the culprits. Following the post-mortem, a massive crowd of mourners, BJP leaders, and workers gathered at the hospital before Rath’s body was taken to his family home in Chandipur, Purba Medinipur district, which is also Adhikari’s native place.

The Trinamool Congress quickly condemned the violence, calling for a court-monitored CBI investigation to ensure justice without delay. Meanwhile, tensions remained high across the state, with reports of at least one other BJP worker shot in Bashirhath on the same night.

Post-Poll Violence Context

This assassination occurs against a backdrop of significant unrest following the declaration of the Assembly election results on May 4, which marked a landslide victory for the BJP and a historic loss for the Trinamool Congress. West Bengal police reported at least two deaths since May 4, though it remains unclear if all were solely due to post-poll violence.

Authorities have filed 200 FIRs, made 433 arrests, and executed 1,100 preventive arrests. Vandalism, clashes, and arson have been reported in multiple parts of the state. Notably, on Tuesday evening, people carrying BJP flags bulldozed a TMC party office in Kolkata’s New Market area. While Kolkata police promised action against officers present at the site, no such measures have been implemented yet.

West Bengal Faces Post-Election Security Challenges

The killing of Chandranath Rath underscores the fragile security environment in West Bengal following the dramatic shift in political power. With the BJP securing a landslide victory and the TMC suffering a humiliating defeat, the state is witnessing unprecedented levels of political violence and retribution. The use of premeditated tactics, such as reconnaissance and fake license plates, suggests organized criminal elements may be exploiting the power vacuum. As the SIT investigates, the demand for strong federal intervention, such as the CBI probe requested by the TMC, highlights the deepening crisis of confidence in local law enforcement. The potential for further retaliatory violence remains high, posing a significant challenge to the new political order and public safety in the region.