CID Cracks Chandranath Rath Murder Case; Three Sharpshooters Arrested After Multi-State Hunt

The West Bengal CID has made a major breakthrough in the murder investigation of Chandranath Rath, Personal Assistant to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested three alleged contract shooters following a multi-state operation spanning Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

According to investigators, Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya were detained from Buxar, while Raj Singh was apprehended from Ballia on May 10. Police described the accused as “infamous marksmen” with extensive criminal backgrounds and histories of targeted killings. The arrests were made using technical surveillance and intelligence inputs developed during the probe.

The case was registered at Madhyamgram Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act in connection with Rath’s killing on May 6 near his residence in Madhyamgram. Investigators believe the murder was a professionally executed contract killing and are now probing who may have hired the shooters.

Officials said the suspects are undergoing intensive interrogation to trace their movements before and after the murder, identify logistical support networks, and determine how weapons and local intelligence were arranged.

“The murder was executed with meticulous planning. The assailants had taken several measures to conceal their identities and movements. Investigators have been relying heavily on digital footprints, CCTV footage and technical evidence to find out the sequence of events,” the officer said.

According to preliminary investigations, Rath’s vehicle was allegedly intercepted by a car near the Doharia area close to Madhyamgram crossing, while a motorcycle stopped alongside.

During the probe, it emerged that the car suspected to have been used by the attackers had crossed the Bali toll plaza before the murder.

One of the occupants allegedly paid the toll through a UPI transaction.

“That digital payment helped investigators identify a mobile number and establish the identity of one of the suspects. The trail eventually led our teams to the accused,” the officer said.

In a parallel development, Bengal Police also detained a man identified as Vishal Srivastava during a late-night raid in Buxar and brought him to Kolkata for questioning. Authorities believe his interrogation could help uncover the larger conspiracy and identify the masterminds behind the assassination.At least eight people were involved in the conspiracy and execution of the murder, he said.

The high-profile murder triggered significant political reactions in West Bengal and led to the formation of a specialised SIT for rapid investigation. The arrested suspects are expected to be produced before the Barasat Court for transit remand as the investigation continues.