Bengal CM aide Chandranath Rath murder: Accused still at large 72 hours on
Synopsis
Three days after the targeted killing of Chandranath Rath — personal assistant to West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari — the assailants remain free. With CCTV infrastructure along the escape route largely defunct and a mystery red car now at the centre of the probe, the SIT faces a race against time.
Key Takeaways
Chandranath Rath , personal assistant to West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari , was shot dead on Wednesday night in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram , North 24 Parganas .
As of Sunday , 72 hours after the killing, no arrests have been made.
Multiple CCTV cameras along the suspected escape route were non-functional or incorrectly installed, severely hampering the investigation.
A mystery red car seen tailing Rath's Scorpio from Birati intersection to Jessore Road has emerged as a key new lead.
A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed; police believe the attack was premeditated and well-planned .
Three days after the fatal shooting of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, police have yet to make a single arrest in the case. Investigators are grappling with a critical evidence gap — a near-total absence of usable CCTV footage along the suspected escape route in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district.
How the Attack Unfolded
The shooting took place on Wednesday night in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram. According to investigators, the assailants intercepted Rath's car mid-road before opening fire. After the attack, the accused are believed to have fled on motorbikes through an alley road towards Peyara Bagan. A search operation is ongoing along that route.
The CCTV Blind Spot
A senior police officer said on Sunday that several cameras along the route adjacent to Doharia-Mathpara in Madhyamgram have been non-functional for a long time. Some cameras installed on light poles were reportedly positioned incorrectly, rendering them useless. CCTV cameras at roadside shops also yielded no leads, as most establishments were closed at the time of the incident.
Investigators believe the assailants may have deliberately chosen to strike after dark to prevent their faces and vehicle number plates from being captured on camera as they sped away. This points to what police describe as a well-planned execution.
The Mystery Red Car
A new and significant lead has emerged in the form of a red car captured on available CCTV footage. The vehicle is seen following Rath's Scorpio from Birati intersection to Jessore Road, remaining close behind even after entering the Doharia area. Investigators suspect the car may have been tailing Rath from the outset, and a search is underway to trace and identify it.
Special Investigation Team Formed
Police have constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the killing, which they believe was carried out in a premeditated manner. The formation of an SIT signals the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case, given the victim's proximity to the state's top political office.
This comes amid a broader climate of political violence in West Bengal, where attacks on party workers and political figures have periodically drawn national attention. With the accused still unidentified and the primary evidence trail compromised by defunct surveillance infrastructure, the investigation faces significant headwinds. All eyes are now on whether the SIT can trace the red car and break the case open.
Point of View
It risks reinforcing the perception that political killings in Bengal carry low accountability costs.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Chandranath Rath?
Chandranath Rath was the personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. He was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Wednesday night in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district.
Why have police not made any arrests yet?
Police cite a near-total lack of usable CCTV footage along the assailants' suspected escape route as the primary obstacle. Several cameras in the Doharia-Mathpara area were non-functional or incorrectly positioned, and roadside shop cameras yielded no leads as most shops were closed at the time.
What is the significance of the red car in the investigation?
CCTV footage shows a red car following Rath's Scorpio from Birati intersection to Jessore Road and into the Doharia area. Investigators suspect it may have been tailing Rath, potentially as part of a coordinated surveillance effort by the attackers before the shooting.
What steps have authorities taken after the killing?
Police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case. A search operation is ongoing along the escape route towards Peyara Bagan, and efforts are underway to trace the mystery red car seen in available CCTV footage.
Was the attack premeditated?
Police believe the attack was executed in a well-planned manner. Investigators note that the assailants appear to have deliberately waited for darkness to prevent identification, and the presence of a tailing vehicle suggests prior surveillance of the victim.
