CBI arrests two in murder of Suvendu Adhikari aide Chandranath Rath
Synopsis
The CBI has reached across state lines into Uttar Pradesh to arrest two men believed to be central to the killing of Chandranath Rath — shot dead just two days after West Bengal's election results. With a third accused already surrendering, the case is rapidly closing in on what investigators describe as a coordinated conspiracy.
Key Takeaways
The CBI arrested Vikas Mishra (from Lucknow) and Golu Singh (from Ballia) on 5 June in the murder of Chandranath Rath .
A third accused, Gyanendra Pratap Singh alias Monu , surrendered before a Gangsters Act court in Ballia and was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Monu is a history-sheeter with at least 12 criminal cases registered against him.
Chandranath Rath was shot dead on 6 May in Madhyamgram, Kolkata — two days after West Bengal election results.
Both arrested accused allegedly played 'crucial roles in the conspiracy and execution' of the murder, according to CBI officials.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two key accused — Vikas Mishra and Golu Singh — in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, executive assistant to West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, officials confirmed on Friday, 5 June. The arrests, made during coordinated search operations in Uttar Pradesh, mark a significant breakthrough in one of West Bengal's most politically charged killings of the year.
How the Arrests Unfolded
Vikas Mishra was apprehended from a hotel in Lucknow, while Golu Singh was taken into custody from Ballia district, according to CBI officials. Both accused are believed to have played 'crucial roles in the conspiracy and execution' of the murder, officials said.
In a related development, a third accused — Gyanendra Pratap Singh, alias Monu — surrendered before a Gangsters Act court in Ballia on Thursday. The court remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody. Police officials noted that Monu is a history-sheeter with at least 12 criminal cases registered against him and is also wanted in connection with Rath's murder.
The Killing of Chandranath Rath
Chandranath Rath was fatally shot on 6 May in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram, on the outskirts of Kolkata. He was attacked on a public road, sustaining critical gunshot wounds, and was rushed to a private hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Notably, the killing occurred just two days after the results of the fiercely contested West Bengal Assembly elections were announced, immediately drawing political attention to the law-and-order situation in the state.
Political Fallout and CBI Takeover
The shooting triggered widespread political reactions, with leaders across party lines raising concerns over deteriorating law and order in West Bengal. The CBI subsequently took over the investigation from state police, pursuing multiple leads to identify all those responsible.
This is not an isolated incident — post-poll violence in West Bengal has been a recurring flashpoint, with central agencies stepping in on multiple occasions in recent years amid allegations of state inaction.
What Investigators Are Focusing On Next
With two arrests and a surrender secured, CBI investigators are expected to intensify efforts to map the full conspiracy behind the killing — including the chain of command and any political or criminal network links. The agency has been conducting coordinated operations across state lines, suggesting the accused had an established inter-state support network.
Further arrests in the case are not ruled out as investigators follow fresh leads emerging from the custody of the three accused.
Point of View
And the pattern of central intervention — CBI stepping in where state police are seen as compromised — is itself a commentary on institutional trust. The real test will be whether the charge sheet, when filed, names only the executors or goes further up the chain.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Chandranath Rath and why was he killed?
Chandranath Rath was the executive assistant to West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. He was fatally shot on 6 May in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram, Kolkata, two days after West Bengal Assembly election results were declared. The motive is under investigation by the CBI.
Who has the CBI arrested in the Chandranath Rath murder case?
The CBI arrested Vikas Mishra from a hotel in Lucknow and Golu Singh from Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh on 5 June. Both are believed to have played central roles in the conspiracy and execution of the murder, according to officials.
Who is Gyanendra Pratap Singh alias Monu?
Monu is a third accused in the Chandranath Rath murder case. He is a history-sheeter with at least 12 criminal cases registered against him and surrendered before a Gangsters Act court in Ballia on Thursday, where he was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Why did the CBI take over the Chandranath Rath murder investigation?
The CBI took over the investigation amid political pressure and concerns over the state police's handling of the case. The killing drew widespread political reactions and raised questions about law and order in West Bengal following the Assembly elections.
What happens next in the CBI investigation?
With two arrests and one surrender, investigators are expected to intensify efforts to uncover the full conspiracy, including any broader criminal or political network. Further arrests are not ruled out as fresh leads emerge from the custody of the three accused.
