The CBI has uncovered crucial new leads in the sensational murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, with investigators now focusing on a suspicious car parked for hours near Barasat rail gate before the killing. The central agency believes the attackers conducted detailed surveillance before executing the assassination-style shooting in Madhyamgram earlier this month.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has officially taken over the probe following a request from the state government and formed a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by DIG Pankaj Kumar Singh. On Tuesday, CBI officers, accompanied by forensic experts from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), visited the crime scene at Doharia in Madhyamgram to reconstruct the sequence of events and collect fresh evidence.
Parked Car Near Barasat Rail Gate Emerges as Key Clue in Chandranath Murder
Chandranath Rath was shot dead at point-blank range on the night of May 6 after armed assailants allegedly blocked his vehicle on the road. The murder took place just three days before Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as Chief Minister, adding a major political dimension to the case.
Police have so far arrested three people, including two alleged sharpshooters from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. A court has granted 13 days of police custody for interrogation. However, investigators believe the masterminds behind the murder are still absconding.
Officials are now trying to identify the local handlers who allegedly provided logistical support, tracked Rath’s movements, and helped the attackers conduct reconnaissance in the area before the killing. The motive behind the murder also remains unclear.
According to sources, the SIT includes officers posted in Delhi, Patna, Dhanbad, Ranchi, and Lucknow, indicating that investigators suspect the conspiracy may have links across multiple states.
One of the key breakthroughs came from CCTV footage showing a Nissan Micra, allegedly used by accused Mayank Raj Mishra from Bihar’s Buxar district. Investigators claim the car remained parked near Barasat’s 11-number rail gate from 4:05 PM until 6:55 PM on the day of the murder before moving towards Doharia.
The agency believes the attackers spent hours surveying the route and monitoring Rath’s movement before launching the attack. After the operation, the accused allegedly fled to Sealdah station the same night and boarded trains towards Ballia in Uttar Pradesh and Buxar in Bihar.
Investigators are also examining whether one of the suspects escaped by air after a motorcycle linked to the case was recovered near the airport. Search operations are currently underway to trace a scooter believed to have been used during the crime.
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