Chandranath Rath (left) and Suvendu Adhikari
Because of his central role in Adhikari’s political operations, bJP leaders including Agnimitra Paul, Kaustav Bagchi and Swapan Dasgupta alleged that Rath had been specifically targeted.
Police sources said Rath suffered bullet injuries to the chest and abdomen, while Bera was hit in the chest, abdomen and leg. Doctors said two bullets pierced Rath’s chest and heart while another struck his abdomen. West Bengal DGP Siddh Nath Gupta said the vehicle carried what appeared to be a tampered registration number linked to the Siliguri RTO. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya described the killing as a “planned and targeted attack” intended to send a political message.
Rath was declared brought dead at a nearby private hospital, while Bera remains in critical condition. Investigators have recovered live rounds and fired cartridges from the crime scene and seized the small car allegedly used during the attack. The Trinamool Congress condemned the killing and demanded a court-monitored CBI probe. In a statement, the TMC also alleged that several of its workers had been attacked in separate incidents of post-poll violence over the last few days.
The killing, barely 48 hours after the declaration of the West Bengal assembly poll results, has triggered a political firestorm across Bengal and sharply escalated tensions in several districts already witnessing post-poll clashes. Rath was returning to his residence with aide Buddhadeb Bera around 10.30pm when motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly intercepted their SUV near Jessore Road, close to Kolkata airport, according to investigators. From Ramakrishna Mission student to BJP strategist Rath, 41, hailed from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district — the political turf closely associated with Adhikari’s rise in Bengal politics. His mother, Hasi Rath, had reportedly held a position in a local panchayat body before shifting allegiance to the BJP alongside Adhikari in 2020. Rath formally became part of Adhikari’s official political team around 2019, when the BJP leader was still serving as a minister in the Mamata Banerjee government. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata Earlier reporting noted: KOLKATA: Five BJP supporters were allegedly injured in a bomb attack in Panihati area of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, police said on Thursday.
KOLKATA: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the IG CID has been formed to probe the killing of Chandranath Rath, the close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari who was shot dead in North 24 Parganas on Wednesday night in what the saffron party has described as a “targeted political assassination”. It appeared completely pre-planned,” an eyewitness said, claiming the attackers fled immediately after the shooting. Senior police officers said CCTV footage from nearby stretches was being scanned while forensic teams examined the SUV and collected evidence from the spot. People close to the family said he had once seriously considered embracing a spiritual life and remained deeply influenced by the Ramakrishna Mission ethos during his student years. Family acquaintances said the Rath family’s association with Adhikari stretched back more than two decades. Political storm erupts Suvendu Adhikari termed the killing a “cold-blooded and pre-planned murder” and alleged the attackers had conducted a recce before executing the assault. “This is the result of 15 years of Mahajungle Raj,” Adhikari said, while urging BJP workers not to take the law into their own hands. Police said raids were underway in multiple locations as investigators attempted to identify the assailants and reconstruct the sequence leading up to the ambush. The BJP accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of carrying out retaliatory violence following the killing, according to news agency PTI. Earlier reporting noted: According to police, unidentified assailants hurled crude bombs near St Xavier’s Institution in Panihati, injuring at least five BJP workers.
The SIT will include officers from the CID, Intelligence Branch (IB) and the Bengal STF as investigators widen the probe into the point-blank attack near Madhyamgram’s Doharia area that left Rath dead and another aide critically injured. Police have intensified deployment in Madhyamgram, Doharia and adjoining areas after BJP supporters staged protests demanding immediate arrests. Eyewitnesses claimed a small four-wheeler first blocked Rath’s vehicle before armed men on bikes moved in and opened fire from close range. “As soon as the vehicle stopped, a bike-borne shooter came to the left side and started firing. The murder has now placed renewed focus on Rath’s rise from a former Indian Air Force personnel to one of Suvendu Adhikari’s most trusted political operators and backroom strategists inside Bengal BJP. Soft-spoken and low-profile, he largely stayed away from public attention despite being deeply embedded within Adhikari’s inner circle for years. Before entering active political organisational work, Rath had spent nearly two decades in the Indian Air Force after studying at Rahara Ramakrishna Mission. After taking voluntary retirement from the Air Force, he briefly worked in the corporate sector before gradually moving into political coordination and administrative responsibilities. Initially handling responsibilities linked to Adhikari’s ministerial office, Rath later evolved into a key organiser after Adhikari crossed over to the BJP. Over the years, he emerged as one of the most trusted backroom figures in Adhikari’s political machinery — coordinating logistics, managing organisational communication and handling politically sensitive assignments. The injured were taken to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata for treatment.
His family, much like Adhikari’s, had earlier been associated with the Trinamool Congress during its rise in Purba Medinipur. Earlier reporting noted: The incident took place late on Wednesday night, just hours after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants.
Meanwhile, tension continued across parts of North 24 Parganas on Thursday as BJP supporters gathered outside hospitals and protest sites demanding justice for Rath.