Raj Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, was released by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday, 21 May, after the agency found insufficient grounds to hold him in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, Personal Assistant to West Bengal leader Suvendu Adhikari. Singh, upon his release, praised the CBI for what he described as an 'impartial probe' while levelling serious allegations of wrongful detention against the Ayodhya Special Operations Group (SOG).

Singh's Allegations Against the SOG

Speaking to reporters after his release, Singh claimed he was 'falsely arrested' and subjected to mental harassment during his time in SOG custody. 'I was wrongfully arrested by the Ayodhya Special Operations Group and was mentally harassed there. They were pressuring me to confess to a crime,' he alleged.

Singh maintained throughout interrogation that he had no involvement in the crime and said he provided the CBI with evidence of his whereabouts at the time of the murder. 'When I was not present at the spot at that time, how could I be involved in the murder,' he said, adding that presenting this evidence led to his being 'proved innocent.'

CBI Draws Contrast With State Police

Singh was pointed in his praise for the central agency, stating: 'I thank the CBI for that,' in reference to what he characterised as a thorough and unbiased investigation. He alleged 'negligence' on the part of the SOG and the administration, claiming he was 'framed' for a crime he did not commit. 'It is really shameful that we live in such a country where the administration considers an innocent as guilty,' he said.

Identifying himself as a BJP leader, Singh suggested his public profile made him an easy target. 'Since my name is popular, I could be easily framed into this,' he claimed, adding that his image had been 'tarnished' by the episode. He described himself as 'a political leader who works for the public and has got nothing to do with any kind of criminal activities.'

Fifth Accused Arrested From Varanasi

Separately, the CBI on Tuesday arrested the fifth accused in the Chandranath Rath murder case from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The accused has been identified as Vinay Rai alias Pumpum Rai, 40, originally from the Zamani area of Ghazipur district, according to central agency officials.

Background: The Chandranath Rath Murder Case

The case centres on the killing of Chandranath Rath, who served as Personal Assistant to Suvendu Adhikari. The CBI took over the investigation, and multiple arrests have followed across Uttar Pradesh. The probe has drawn political attention given Adhikari's prominence as a senior leader in West Bengal. With five accused now in custody and at least one released, the investigation remains active and ongoing.

The CBI is expected to continue questioning Vinay Rai as it works to establish the full chain of conspiracy behind the murder.