Bengal SIT recovers second bike in Chandranath Rath murder case
Synopsis
West Bengal's SIT has now recovered both motorcycles and the blocking four-wheeler used in the targeted killing of Chandranath Rath — yet no arrests have been made. Police sources say the precision of the attack, fake number plates, and pre-planned surveillance of the victim point to a professional contract hit, raising serious questions about who ordered the assassination of a senior BJP leader's personal assistant.
Key Takeaways
The SIT recovered the second motorcycle on Friday afternoon near a rail-gate in Barasat, North 24 Parganas .
Chandranath Rath , PA to Suvendu Adhikari , was shot dead on 6 May at around 10.30 pm in Madhyamgram.
Assailants used two motorcycles and a blocking four-wheeler , all with reportedly fake number plates.
At least 10 rounds were fired at close range; driver Buddhadeb Bera was also shot and is hospitalised.
Police sources say the attack bears hallmarks of a pre-planned, professional contract killing.
No arrests have been made so far despite recovery of all three vehicles.
The Special Investigating Team (SIT) of the West Bengal Police has recovered the second motorcycle linked to the targeted killing of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari, who was shot dead on the night of 6 May in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas. The recovery marks a significant step in the investigation, even as no arrests have been made so far.
How the Second Motorcycle Was Traced
The second motorcycle was recovered on Friday afternoon from an abandoned spot near a rail-gate in Barasat, also in North 24 Parganas. The first motorcycle had been retrieved a day earlier, on Thursday afternoon, from an abandoned location near Doharia crossing in Madhyamgram — close to where the assassination occurred. Investigators reportedly suspect the number plates on the second motorcycle are also fake, consistent with findings on the first recovered bike and the four-wheeler involved in the attack.
A Coordinated, Pre-Planned Operation
Initial reports had indicated that only one motorcycle was used by the assailants. However, police insiders confirmed that two motorcycles had been shadowing Rath's vehicle as he returned home from a BJP programme on Wednesday night. A four-wheeler had been deployed to block Rath's path, allowing the motorcycle-borne assailants to pull alongside his vehicle and fire at least 10 rounds at close range, killing him on the spot. The four-wheeler was also recovered by the police. According to a source in the state police, the number plates on both the four-wheeler and the first motorcycle were confirmed to be fake.
Driver Also Shot, Hospitalised
Rath's driver, Buddhadeb Bera, was also struck by a bullet during the attack and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kolkata. The assassination took place at approximately 10.30 pm IST on 6 May as Rath was returning to his residence in Madhyamgram.
Hallmarks of a Professional Hit
A police source told NationPress that the manner in which the killing was executed pointed to meticulous advance planning, with Rath's daily movements reportedly under surveillance for a considerable period beforehand. The source noted that the precision with which the assailant fired and immediately fled suggested the involvement of an experienced, professional sharpshooter. Notably, the use of two escort motorcycles, a blocking vehicle, fake number plates, and a swift getaway are hallmarks of organised contract killings — a pattern that investigators are now examining closely.
Investigation Status
Despite recovering both motorcycles and the four-wheeler, the SIT has not been able to arrest any suspect so far. The investigation is ongoing, and further forensic analysis of the recovered vehicles is expected to yield leads. The political significance of the case — given that Rath served as PA to a senior opposition leader — has drawn heightened public and political scrutiny to the probe's progress.
Point of View
But the absence of any arrests raises harder questions. A professional hit of this nature, targeting the personal assistant of a prominent opposition leader in West Bengal, does not happen in a vacuum. The surveillance of Rath's movements, the coordinated use of a blocking vehicle and two escort motorcycles, and the clinical escape point to resources and planning that go well beyond opportunistic political violence. Mainstream coverage has focused on the recovery of evidence; what it has underplayed is the accountability question — who ordered this, and why has the state's intelligence apparatus not surfaced a single lead on the perpetrators?
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Chandranath Rath and why was he targeted?
Chandranath Rath was the personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari, a senior BJP leader in West Bengal. He was shot dead on the night of 6 May in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas; the motive has not been officially established, and the investigation is ongoing.
What vehicles have been recovered in the Chandranath Rath murder case?
The SIT has recovered two motorcycles and one four-wheeler linked to the attack. The four-wheeler was used to block Rath's vehicle, while the two motorcycles carried the assailants. All three vehicles reportedly had fake number plates.
Has anyone been arrested in the Chandranath Rath murder case?
No. As of Friday, the SIT had not arrested any suspect despite recovering all three vehicles involved in the attack. The investigation remains active.
What do police sources say about the nature of the attack?
According to a police source, the killing bore the hallmarks of a pre-planned, professional contract hit. Rath's movements were reportedly under surveillance for a considerable period, and the assailant fired at least 10 rounds from close range before fleeing immediately — suggesting an experienced sharpshooter.
What is the condition of Chandranath Rath's driver?
Buddhadeb Bera, Rath's driver, was struck by a bullet during the attack and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kolkata. His condition has not been officially updated beyond that he is receiving medical care.
