12 May,2026 12:22 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Chandranath Rath, Ex-IAF officer and personal assistant of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Pic/ X
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, ANI reported.
Sources said a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to handle the case. The team will be headed by a DIG-rank officer.
Chandranath Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel and aide to Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead near Madhyamgram on the night of May 6. He later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Three accused, Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya, and Raj Singh, have been arrested in the case.
Raj Singh was arrested from Ballia in Uttar Pradesh on May 10 based on investigative leads
All three were interrogated and formally arrested on Monday morning. They have been remanded to police custody till May 24.
Public Prosecutor Advocate Bivas Chatterjee said the prosecution also sought additional charges related to destruction of evidence. The court accepted the request and added the relevant sections.
"The three accused have been sent to 13 days of police custody. We also sought addition of the section relating to destruction of evidence, which has been added by the court," Chatterjee told reporters.
Suvendu Adhikari termed the killing a "premeditated murder," alleging that Rath was targeted due to his political association and his connection with Adhikari after his electoral victory over Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur.
He further alleged that the attack was planned in advance, claiming Rath was under surveillance and followed for several days before being shot at close range.
The Trinamool Congress has demanded a court-monitored CBI investigation for an impartial probe. The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee has also called for an independent investigation under judicial supervision.
Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, marking a tragic end to a life that moved from military service to political strategy and ground-level coordination, PTI reported.
Rath, 41, originally hailed from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district, a politically significant region closely associated with Suvendu Adhikari's rise in Bengal politics.
He served in the Indian Air Force for nearly two decades after completing his education at Rahara Ramakrishna Mission. Known to be soft-spoken and disciplined, he remained largely away from the public spotlight.
PTI sources close to the family said Rath had once considered a spiritual path and was influenced by the values of the Ramakrishna Mission during his student years. His upbringing reflected a strong sense of discipline and service.
After taking voluntary retirement from the Air Force, Rath briefly worked in the corporate sector before gradually transitioning into political coordination and administrative work.
Over time, he became involved in organisational and logistical responsibilities in political circles, especially linked to Suvendu Adhikari's team.
Rath formally joined Adhikari's political team around 2019, initially handling duties related to the ministerial office when Adhikari was part of the West Bengal government.
After Adhikari's shift to the BJP, Rath continued to work closely with him, managing coordination, logistics, and communication with party workers.
Within BJP circles, Rath was regarded as a trusted "troubleshooter" and backroom strategist. He was reportedly involved in sensitive campaign coordination work, including high-stakes elections such as the Bhabanipur contest.
Party insiders described him as someone who enjoyed complete confidence from Adhikari and was often assigned critical organisational responsibilities.
Rath's family also had political links. His mother, Hasi Rath, had earlier served in a local panchayat body during the Trinamool Congress period before the family shifted allegiance to the BJP in 2020, along with Adhikari.
On May 6, Rath was allegedly intercepted by motorcycle-borne assailants near Madhyamgram's Doharia area and shot at close range. He later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
His death has triggered strong political reactions in West Bengal, further intensifying tensions in the post-election climate.
(With ANI, PTI inputs)
