Political tensions in West Bengal escalated sharply ahead of the new government’s oath-taking ceremony after Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in North 24 Parganas late on Wednesday night. The killing has triggered a fierce political confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), with the saffron party alleging a larger conspiracy behind the attack.
According to police officials, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has now been constituted to probe the murder. The SIT will be headed by an Inspector General (IG)-rank officer and will include personnel from multiple districts as well as specialised investigation units. Officials stated that the team has been tasked with examining every angle of the case, including the possibility of a planned political conspiracy.
Police sources revealed that several suspects are currently being questioned in connection with the killing. However, the main shooters remain absconding. Investigators are also interrogating three local history-sheeters to determine whether they played any role in assisting the attackers or planning the execution of the crime.
The attack took place around 10:30 pm in the Madhyamgram area of North 24 Parganas district. Preliminary investigations suggest that Rath was returning home from Kolkata in a Scorpio vehicle when the incident occurred near the Dohria stretch. A car reportedly following Rath’s vehicle suddenly overtook it, after which armed assailants riding a motorcycle opened indiscriminate fire from the left side of the SUV.
Rath suffered multiple bullet injuries to his chest, abdomen and face. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. His driver, who was also hit during the attack, sustained serious gunshot wounds and remains in critical condition. He has been shifted to a Kolkata hospital for advanced treatment.
Soon after the attack, the assailants fled the spot, triggering a large-scale police search operation across the region. Security agencies are examining CCTV footage from nearby roads and toll points to trace the movement of the attackers and identify the vehicles used in the crime.
The murder sparked protests by BJP workers across several parts of the state. On Thursday, BJP supporters staged a road blockade in Paschim Medinipur district, demanding immediate arrests and accusing the ruling TMC of orchestrating the attack. Protesters burned tyres and raised slogans against the state government, alleging that the killing was politically motivated and timed deliberately ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the new administration.
The situation in Madhyamgram remained tense though largely peaceful, with heavy deployment of police and central forces in sensitive areas. Senior BJP leaders visited the area and met Rath’s family members, while security personnel maintained strict vigil to prevent any further escalation.
The incident has once again brought the spotlight on the recurring allegations of political violence in West Bengal, where clashes between rival political parties have frequently marred the state’s electoral atmosphere. With the SIT investigation now underway, political observers believe the case is likely to intensify the already heated political environment in the state.
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