Kolkata, May 7, KNT: Chandranath Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel and close associate of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead late Wednesday night in West Bengal’s Madhyamgram area of North 24 Parganas district in an attack that has intensified political tensions in the state and triggered allegations of a targeted killing by opposition leaders.
Police said Rath was traveling in a vehicle near the Doharia-Doltala stretch of Madhyamgram around 10:30 p.m. when unidentified assailants intercepted the car and opened fire from close range. Initial reports indicated that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene.
Rath sustained critical bullet injuries, particularly in the upper body and chest region, according to reports from local media. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital where doctors declared him dead shortly after arrival.
Another person accompanying him, identified as Buddhadeb Bera, also suffered serious injuries in the firing and was undergoing treatment on Thursday.
The incident immediately sparked political uproar because of Rath’s proximity to Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and one of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s most influential figures in the state.
Rath, known within BJP circles as a trusted organizational aide, had reportedly worked closely with Adhikari for several years after retiring from the Indian Air Force. Sources familiar with the party structure described him as part of Adhikari’s inner team and said he handled coordination and logistical responsibilities during several political campaigns and organizational activities.
Reports said Rath became particularly active during major election campaigns in West Bengal after Adhikari joined the BJP from the Trinamool Congress ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections.
The killing occurred at a time when political rivalry in West Bengal remains intense, with the BJP repeatedly accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of failing to control political violence, while the TMC has accused opposition parties of attempting to politicize criminal incidents.
Senior police officials reached the spot soon after the attack and launched an investigation. Forensic experts collected samples from the scene while officers began examining CCTV footage from nearby roads and establishments to trace the attackers and reconstruct the sequence of events.
Investigators suspect the assault may have been carefully planned. Reports quoting police sources indicated that more than one vehicle may have been involved in tracking Rath’s movements before the shooting. Authorities were also probing claims that fake registration plates may have been used during the operation.
Some reports suggested that sophisticated firearms, including possible Glock-type pistols, were used by the attackers, although police had not officially confirmed the weapon details by Thursday afternoon.
No arrests had been announced at the time of filing this report.
The motive behind the killing also remained unclear, though BJP leaders quickly termed the attack a “political murder.” Suvendu Adhikari strongly criticized the state administration following the incident and accused the government of allowing lawlessness to spread in Bengal.
In statements shared by several media outlets, Adhikari alleged that opposition workers and associates were increasingly becoming targets of violence in the state. BJP leaders demanded an impartial probe and called for stronger security measures for party functionaries.
The ruling Trinamool Congress condemned the killing and said the matter should be investigated thoroughly. Some TMC leaders publicly supported demands for a detailed and neutral inquiry, while also criticizing attempts to draw political conclusions before the completion of the investigation.
The murder has renewed focus on the issue of political violence in West Bengal, a state that has witnessed repeated clashes, attacks, and allegations of politically linked killings over the past several years. Incidents of violence involving rival political workers have frequently dominated headlines during and after elections in the state.
Security arrangements were tightened in Madhyamgram and surrounding areas on Thursday amid concerns over possible unrest following Rath’s death. Police personnel were deployed in sensitive pockets while party supporters gathered outside hospitals and local BJP offices.
Residents in parts of the area told local media they heard multiple gunshots during the attack, causing panic late at night. Traffic movement was briefly affected as police cordoned off sections of the road to collect evidence and inspect the crime scene.
Political observers noted that the incident could further deepen confrontation between the BJP and the ruling TMC ahead of future electoral battles in the state.
Meanwhile, investigators continued to examine Rath’s recent movements, call records, and travel route before the attack as part of efforts to identify the assailants and determine whether the killing was linked to political rivalry, personal enmity, or another motive.
Authorities said the investigation was ongoing and more details would emerge after forensic analysis and questioning of witnesses. [KNT]
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