Investigators probing the sensational murder of Chandranath Rath have recovered a second motorcycle believed to have been used in the crime, intensifying the search for the assailants. Found abandoned near Gate No. 11 in Barasat, the bike is now a key piece of evidence as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) expands its probe beyond state borders. Despite multiple leads, the accused remain at large.
Police suspect that after executing the killing, the attackers fled on motorcycles and later abandoned one near the railway gate before escaping further. Forensic checks are underway to confirm whether the newly recovered bike was directly used in the attack. Sources indicate that, like the first motorcycle recovered earlier from the Madhyamgram area, this one too may have tampered identification details, including erased engine numbers.
The SIT, formed on Thursday, comprises seven members and is headed by a DIG-rank officer from the CID. Officers from Barasat Police, the Special Task Force (STF), and CID are part of the team. Their investigation is now stretching across state lines, with officials reportedly traveling outside West Bengal to track down critical leads.
Chandranath Rath, a close aide of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was gunned down on Wednesday night outside his residence in Madhyamgram. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary findings suggest that assailants on two motorcycles opened indiscriminate fire after blocking his vehicle. His driver was also shot and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Investigators believe the murder was meticulously planned, possibly over a period of one to one-and-a-half months. There are indications that hired killers may have been involved. Police are examining Rath’s recent interactions and any possible disputes that could have led to the attack.
In a coordinated ambush, a four-wheeler reportedly intercepted Rath’s car before the shooters arrived on motorcycles and carried out the attack. The attackers fled the scene on bikes, leaving behind the four-wheeler, which has since been seized by police. CCTV footage has also captured a red-colored vehicle, which is now being traced.
Preliminary findings suggest that both the motorcycles and the car used in the crime carried fake number plates, likely to mislead investigators. Authorities are also analyzing mobile tower data—commonly referred to as “tower dump” or “call dump” analysis—to identify suspicious communications in the area at the time of the incident. There is growing suspicion that some of the calls linked to the attackers may have originated from outside the state.
While political allegations have surfaced, with BJP leaders blaming the ruling Trinamool Congress and targeting top leadership, the party has urged its workers to remain calm. Police, however, have refrained from making official statements, focusing instead on piecing together the evidence trail.
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