The murder investigation into Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide Chandranath Rath has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a day after three alleged sharpshooters were arrested in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The CBI formally takes charge of the case today and will set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of its Kolkata Zone Joint Director.
Rath, who served as Adhikari’s personal assistant, was shot dead on May 6 — just two days after the West Bengal Assembly election results in which the BJP swept the state with 207 seats, reducing the All India Trinamool Congress to 80.
According to investigators, Rath was returning home to Madhyamgram after attending a party event when his vehicle was intercepted by a car at a crossing. Two motorcycles had allegedly been tailing the vehicle. One of the attackers reportedly opened fire from close range, shooting nearly 10 rounds.
Rath died on the spot while his driver, Buddhadeb Bera, suffered critical injuries and is currently recovering.
The breakthrough came after the West Bengal Police SIT tracked the suspects across states using technical surveillance and digital inputs. The three accused were brought to Bengal on transit remand and have been sent to 13-day police custody.
The transfer of the case to the CBI comes amid heightened political tension in West Bengal following the election outcome and the high-profile nature of the killing.
Also Read: Suvendu Adhikari Sworn In as Bengal’s First BJP Chief Minister https://www.vibesofindia.com/suvendu-adhikari-sworn-in-as-bengals-first-bjp-chief-minister/
