CBI arrests Rajkumar Singh in Chandranath Rath murder case, nabbed at UP toll plaza
Synopsis
Just days after West Bengal's election results, the personal assistant of CM Suvendu Adhikari was shot dead — and the CBI's widening dragnet has now reached a UP toll plaza. The fourth arrest in the Chandranath Rath murder case signals a cross-state conspiracy that investigators are still unravelling.
Key Takeaways
CBI arrested Rajkumar Singh of Chhapar, Uttar Pradesh near a toll plaza on the Haridwar-Delhi Highway on Monday .
Singh was allegedly attempting to flee via Delhi and Haridwar ; his name emerged during interrogation of accused Mayank and Raj Singh .
Chandranath Rath , personal assistant to West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari , was shot dead on 6 May in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas .
The state police SIT had previously arrested three persons — two from UP and one alleged sharpshooter from Buxar, Bihar .
CM Adhikari attended the funeral and assured Rath's mother, Hasirani Rath , that justice would be delivered.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Rajkumar Singh, a resident of Chhapar, Uttar Pradesh, in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Singh was apprehended on Monday near a toll plaza on the Haridwar-Delhi Highway, approximately 30 km from Muzaffarpur, in a joint operation by the CBI and local police.
How the Arrest Unfolded
Investigators had earlier raided a property in Delhi's Swaroop Nagar area in search of Singh, but he could not be traced there. According to CBI sources, Singh was allegedly attempting to flee through Delhi and Haridwar when he was intercepted at the toll plaza. His name reportedly surfaced during the interrogation of two previously arrested accused, identified as Mayank and Raj Singh.
The Murder of Chandranath Rath
Chandranath Rath was shot dead on the night of 6 May, just two days after the West Bengal Assembly election results were declared. The attack occurred in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district. Rath was seated in the passenger seat of a car when unidentified assailants arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire, and fled. The vehicle's driver was also injured in the attack. Both were rushed to hospital, where Rath was declared dead.
Investigation So Far
The state police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) shortly after the killing. The SIT has already arrested three persons — two from Uttar Pradesh and an alleged sharpshooter from Buxar, Bihar. Singh's arrest marks the fourth in the case, with the CBI now running a parallel probe alongside the SIT.
Chief Minister's Response
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Rath's residence on Sunday to attend the funeral service, where he met the deceased's mother, Hasirani Rath. Adhikari assured her that those responsible for the murder would be brought to justice. Hasirani Rath said she had faith in the Chief Minister.
What Comes Next
With Singh now in custody, investigators are expected to press for further disclosures about the alleged network behind the killing. The timing of Rath's murder — days after a politically charged election result — has drawn scrutiny, and the case is likely to remain under close watch as the CBI pursues remaining leads.
Point of View
Turf and narrative can diverge. The real test will be whether investigators can establish the full chain of command, not just the foot soldiers.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chandranath Rath and why was he killed?
Chandranath Rath was the personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. He was shot dead on the night of 6 May in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, just two days after the West Bengal Assembly election results were announced. The motive has not been officially confirmed by investigators.
Who is Rajkumar Singh and how was he arrested?
Rajkumar Singh is a resident of Chhapar in Uttar Pradesh and is the latest person arrested in the Chandranath Rath murder case. He was apprehended by a joint CBI and local police team near a toll plaza on the Haridwar-Delhi Highway on Monday, after an earlier raid in Delhi's Swaroop Nagar failed to locate him.
How many people have been arrested in the case so far?
Four persons have been arrested in total — three by the state police SIT (two from Uttar Pradesh and an alleged sharpshooter from Buxar, Bihar) and one, Rajkumar Singh, by the CBI. Singh's name surfaced during interrogation of earlier accused Mayank and Raj Singh.
What is the CBI's role in the Chandranath Rath murder probe?
The CBI is conducting a parallel investigation alongside the state police's Special Investigation Team (SIT). The bureau has been tracking accused persons across multiple states, conducting raids in Delhi and coordinating with local police in Uttar Pradesh to make arrests.
What did West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari say about the murder?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Rath's residence on Sunday to attend the funeral service and met the deceased's mother, Hasirani Rath. He assured her that all those responsible for the murder would be brought to justice. Hasirani Rath said she had faith in the Chief Minister.
