Execution-style killing of Suvendu Adhikari aide shocks West Bengal
Execution-style killing of Suvendu Adhikari aide shocks West Bengal
Chandranath Rath, close aide of BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in North 24 Parganas in a meticulously planned ambush.
Chandranath Rath, a longtime aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead late Wednesday in North 24 Parganas, as his SUV was intercepted in a tightly choreographed attack. Investigators say the assailants fired from both sides of the vehicle, hitting Rath in the right abdomen and left chest, with bullets piercing the heart. They believe Rath was the sole target, and the precision of the hits suggested professional execution. The SUV reportedly bore no visible damage to its body or windshield, while a couple of bullets struck the driver as he was near the target. A witness described the incident as pre-planned and carried out at point-blank range, noting that Rath’s vehicle had slowed near a traffic signal when a bike-borne assailant struck from the left side before fleeing. The attack occurred late at night, just 200-300 metres from a hospital, prompting locals to rush the victims inside for treatment.
Police are combing CCTV footage along Jessore Road and questioning shopkeepers who might have witnessed the shooting. Authorities have also alerted police stations near the Bangladesh and Jharkhand borders. A suspicious four-wheeler connected to the case—seized by investigators—was used to block Rath’s path, after which the shooters allegedly left in another vehicle or on motorcycles. The car seized was a small Nissan Micra hatchback.
The incident is being described in security circles as a meticulously planned ambush, with early reports pointing to the use of a fake number plate and Glock pistols. The location near the Kolkata airport has drawn attention to the broader context of post-poll violence in the state, though investigators have not publicly tied this attack to any faction. BJP leaders have mourned Rath as a reliable party functionary, underscoring the sense of vulnerability among political aides in the current climate.
As detectives pursue leads and CCTV footage, the wider public is urged to remain vigilant and await further updates on the investigation. The case highlights ongoing concerns about violence surrounding politics in West Bengal and the pressures faced by those close to political figures.
