Investigators have made a significant breakthrough in the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, with the arrest of three alleged sharpshooters from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The arrests were carried out during a late-night operation on Sunday by the Special Task Force (STF) and the CID.

“We first picked up Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya from Buxar in Bihar and after interrogating them, Raj Singh was rounded up from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh,” an STF source said.

The accused were brought to Kolkata and interrogated overnight at Bhawani Bhawan, the headquarters of multiple state law enforcement agencies. They are scheduled to be produced before the Barasat Court.

Cold-blooded killing

Chandranath Rath was shot dead at close range on May 6 in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas. The incident occurred shortly after the BJP’s sweeping electoral victory, but before Adhikari had formally taken oath as Chief Minister.

According to investigators, the attack was meticulously planned. The assailants had conducted detailed surveillance of Rath’s movements and even identified the specific seat he occupied inside his vehicle.

The entire attack lasted less than a minute, during which six rounds were fired, leaving Rath critically injured in the chest and arm. He was rushed to hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

UPI trail leads to arrests

The STF and CID launched a joint investigation immediately after the incident. A breakthrough came through digital transaction records. Officials found that the suspects had made a UPI payment at the Bally toll plaza—one of Kolkata’s key entry and exit points.

Analysis of these records helped investigators trace the suspects’ movements and establish links to Uttar Pradesh, ultimately leading to their arrest.

Suspected contract killing under probe

Authorities believe the arrested individuals are contract killers. Interrogations are underway to determine who commissioned the murder, the motive behind the crime, and the larger conspiracy involved.

Further investigation revealed that the vehicle used in the crime carried a fake license plate. Police suspect it was fabricated using an image from an OLX advertisement posted by a Siliguri-based car owner, pointing to a high level of planning and technical execution.

From the outset, investigators suspected the involvement of out-of-state operatives. With the arrests now confirming those suspicions, the focus of the probe has shifted to identifying and apprehending the masterminds behind the killing.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share