Three Sharpshooters Held in Chandranath Rath Murder Case to Be Produced Before Barasat Court

Kolkata, May 2026 : The three alleged sharpshooters arrested in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, will be produced before a district court in Barasat in North 24 Parganas on Monday as investigators intensify their probe into the sensational killing that has sent shockwaves across the state’s political landscape.

The arrests were made by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the West Bengal Police from Uttar Pradesh after an extensive manhunt launched following Rath’s assassination on May 6. Police officials said the accused were brought to Kolkata late Sunday night under tight security and immediately taken to the state police headquarters at Bhabani Bhavan in south Kolkata for interrogation.

Sources familiar with the investigation said the three suspects were questioned throughout the night by senior officers of the SIT, who are trying to piece together the larger conspiracy behind the killing. The police are expected to seek their custody when they are presented before the Barasat court later in the day.

Investigating officials have so far refrained from disclosing the identities of the arrested men or the exact location in Uttar Pradesh from where they were apprehended. According to sources, the police have deliberately maintained secrecy over operational details to avoid compromising further aspects of the investigation.

The murder of Chandranath Rath occurred on the night of May 6, just two days after the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results that dramatically altered the state’s political landscape. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory in 207 Assembly constituencies, while the Trinamool Congress, which had ruled the state for over a decade, was reduced to just 80 seats.

Rath, a close aide and personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, was reportedly returning to his residence in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district after attending a party programme when the attack took place.

According to preliminary findings of the investigation, Rath’s vehicle was intercepted at a crossing after being blocked by a four-wheeler. Police believe the car was part of a carefully planned operation intended to halt Rath’s movement and make him vulnerable to attack.

As Rath’s vehicle came to a stop, one of the two motorcycles that had allegedly been tailing his car for some time moved alongside it. An armed assailant riding pillion on the motorcycle reportedly opened fire at close range, shooting nearly ten rounds into the vehicle.

Rath died on the spot due to multiple bullet injuries. His driver, identified as Buddhadeb Bera, sustained serious injuries in the attack and was rushed to hospital. Officials said Bera is recovering steadily and his statement could prove crucial in reconstructing the sequence of events.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the number plates used on the four-wheeler and the two motorcycles involved in the attack were fake, indicating that the assailants had meticulously planned the operation to evade immediate detection.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had earlier alleged that Rath was targeted because of his close association with him, especially after the BJP’s sweeping electoral victory in the state. Adhikari claimed that Rath “would not have been killed” had he not been working for the person who defeated former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from the Bhabanipur constituency by a margin exceeding 15,000 votes.

The SIT is now probing whether the assassination was politically motivated and whether a larger network was involved in planning and executing the attack. Security has also been heightened around key BJP leaders in the state following the incident.

Team Maverick.