Suvendu Adhikari aide shot dead in Madhyamgram; second man critical
Synopsis
A close aide of West Bengal Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari was ambushed and shot dead in Madhyamgram on Wednesday night in what police sources describe as a potentially pre-planned attack. The killing, coming days after a bitterly contested Assembly election, has triggered immediate allegations of political conspiracy from the BJP.
Key Takeaways
Chandranath Rath , personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari , was shot dead on Wednesday night at the Doharia crossing , Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas .
A second associate, Buddhadeb Bera , sustained multiple bullet injuries and is in critical condition at Viva City Hospital .
BJP MLA Kaustav Bagchi alleged the vehicle was followed and ambushed by armed assailants, and has alleged a political conspiracy .
Both victims were reportedly part of Adhikari's core campaign team in Bhabanipur Assembly constituency .
Police are examining CCTV footage and seeking eyewitnesses; sources say the attack appears pre-planned .
Chandranath Rath, a close aide and personal assistant of outgoing Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead on Wednesday night on a road in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district, while returning home from a party programme. A second occupant of the same vehicle, Buddhadeb Bera, sustained multiple bullet injuries and is currently in critical condition at Viva City Hospital. Police sources have said the nature of the attack suggests it may have been pre-planned.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and senior Calcutta High Court advocate Kaustav Bagchi, the vehicle carrying Rath was followed for a considerable distance by another car. When Rath's vehicle reached the Doharia crossing in Madhyamgram, the pursuing vehicle reportedly overtook and blocked it. A group of armed assailants then allegedly came out and opened indiscriminate fire.
Rath sustained multiple bullet injuries to the head, chest, and abdomen, according to Bagchi. He was rushed to Viva City Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Bera, who was travelling in the same vehicle, also sustained multiple bullet injuries and remains in critical condition at the same hospital.
Political Conspiracy Alleged
Bagchi alleged a political conspiracy behind the killing and demanded strong action from the administration, adding that he had reached the hospital shortly after the incident. Sources said Suvendu Adhikari was also on his way to the hospital after receiving information about the attack.
Both Rath and Bera were reportedly part of Adhikari's core team and had been involved in managing his election campaign in Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in south Kolkata, where Adhikari defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the recently concluded Assembly polls, according to sources.
Police Response and Investigation
Senior police officials have reached the spot and launched an investigation. Police are examining CCTV footage from the area and attempting to identify eyewitnesses in order to trace the assailants. Police sources indicated that the coordinated nature of the attack — involving surveillance, pursuit, and a targeted ambush — suggests the killing may have been pre-planned, though no formal determination has been made public.
What Happens Next
The incident is likely to intensify political tensions in West Bengal, coming in the immediate aftermath of a bitterly contested Assembly election. Demands for a thorough and impartial investigation are expected to mount from BJP leaders at both the state and national level. The police investigation, including CCTV analysis and eyewitness accounts, is ongoing, and further details are awaited.
Point of View
But the targeting of a senior Opposition leader's personal aide — days after a landmark electoral result in Bhabanipur — carries a sharper edge. The alleged surveillance and coordinated ambush, if confirmed, would point to organised intent rather than opportunistic violence. The BJP will use this incident to press its long-standing narrative of state-sponsored intimidation in Bengal, while the administration faces pressure to demonstrate investigative independence. The real test will be whether the CCTV evidence leads to credible arrests, or whether this joins the list of politically sensitive cases in West Bengal that have seen slow judicial progress.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Chandranath Rath?
Chandranath Rath was a close aide and personal assistant of Suvendu Adhikari, the outgoing Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. He was reportedly a core member of Adhikari's campaign team in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency.
Where and when did the Madhyamgram shooting take place?
The shooting took place on Wednesday night at the Doharia crossing in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. Rath was returning home from a party programme when the attack occurred.
Who else was injured in the attack?
Buddhadeb Bera, who was travelling in the same vehicle as Rath, sustained multiple bullet injuries and is currently in critical condition at Viva City Hospital in Madhyamgram.
What have the police said about the attack?
Police sources have indicated that the coordinated nature of the attack — involving the alleged pursuit and ambush of the vehicle — suggests it may have been pre-planned. Senior officials have reached the spot, and investigators are examining CCTV footage and seeking eyewitnesses.
What political reaction has the shooting triggered?
BJP MLA Kaustav Bagchi has alleged a political conspiracy behind the killing and demanded strong action from the administration. Suvendu Adhikari was reportedly on his way to the hospital after learning of the attack.
