West Bengal Police have traced the car used in the targeted killing of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari, to Jharkhand, with investigators also pursuing a UPI money trail linked to the vehicle, a senior police officer said on Sunday, 10 May 2025. The murder, which took place in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas on the night of 6 May, has prompted the formation of a Special Investigation Team and drawn sharp political accusations.

Key Developments in the Investigation

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the West Bengal Police is leading the probe, with personnel drawn from the Special Task Force (STF), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the state intelligence department. According to investigators, the car used to block Chandranath's vehicle was sourced from Jharkhand, and an online payment via UPI was made from that car — a financial lead that is now being actively pursued.

Representatives of the investigation team have also travelled to Uttar Pradesh in search of the accused. CCTV footage from the Bali toll plaza has been collected and is under examination. Several individuals are being questioned in connection with the case, though no arrests have been made yet.

How the Attack Unfolded

Chandranath was shot dead late on the night of 6 May in Madhyamgram. According to police, a four-wheeler pulled in front of his vehicle, forcing it to stop. Miscreants riding on two motorcycles then approached from both sides and opened fire, killing Chandranath on the spot. His driver, who was also shot, remains hospitalised.

Police subsequently seized the car used in the attack on the day of the incident. Investigators found that the number plates on both the car and the two recovered motorcycles were fake, a deliberate step, according to police, to mislead the investigation.

Premeditated Plot, Police Say

According to police officers, the plan to kill Chandranath had reportedly been hatched at least a month and a half before the attack. Investigators are examining who may have had a motive to target him during that period and whether he had any known disputes or conflicts. The use of fake number plates, a Jharkhand-sourced vehicle, and a digital payment trail point to a coordinated operation.

Political Fallout

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has levelled allegations against the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in connection with the murder. The TMC, however, issued a statement condemning the incident and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe under court supervision. The killing of a senior aide to the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal has intensified political tensions in the state.

What Comes Next

Investigators say they are hopeful that the convergence of the Jharkhand vehicle trail, the UPI transaction data, CCTV evidence, and witness questioning will soon lead them to the perpetrators. With the SIT drawing on multiple specialised units and teams deployed across at least two states, the pace of the investigation is expected to accelerate in the coming days.