Chandranath Rath murder: Suvendu Adhikari pays tribute at aide's funeral in East Midnapore
Synopsis
The personal assistant of West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari was shot dead on 6 May in Madhyamgram. With a sharpshooter from Bihar and two UP suspects arrested but the mastermind still unidentified, the CBI has taken over. Adhikari's emotional visit to the funeral — and a grieving mother's public faith in him — puts the case at the intersection of personal loss and political pressure.
Key Takeaways
Suvendu Adhikari visited the funeral of slain aide Chandranath Rath in Chandipur, East Midnapore on 17 May .
Rath was shot dead on the night of 6 May in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas ; the driver of the vehicle was also injured.
Assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire; Rath was declared brought dead at hospital.
State police's SIT arrested two persons from Uttar Pradesh and a sharpshooter from Buxar, Bihar .
The CBI has taken over the investigation; the main conspirator has not yet been identified.
Rath's mother Hasirani Rath expressed faith in Adhikari and demanded the strictest punishment for the perpetrators.
West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday, 17 May visited the residence of his slain personal assistant Chandranath Rath in the Chandipur area of East Midnapore district to pay his respects at the funeral service. Adhikari garlanded Rath's photograph, met the bereaved family, and assured them that justice would be delivered for the killing.
A Mother's Grief and Her Faith in the Leader
Chandranath's mother, Hasirani Rath, spoke to reporters after Adhikari's visit, visibly moved. “He also cried. I have faith in the Chief Minister. I hope justice will be done for my son's murder,” she said. She added that many people forget their subordinates after rising to power, but Adhikari had come personally and wept. “The Chief Minister said that he is with us. He will ensure the strictest punishment for the guilty,” she recalled.
How Chandranath Rath Was Killed
On the night of 6 May, Chandranath Rath was shot dead in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district. He was seated beside the driver in a vehicle when assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire. The driver sustained injuries in the attack. Both were rushed to hospital within minutes, but doctors declared Chandranath brought dead on arrival.
Investigation: SIT, Arrests, and CBI Takeover
State police initially constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder. Investigators subsequently arrested two persons from Uttar Pradesh and a sharpshooter from Buxar in Bihar. However, the identity of the main conspirator and the motive behind the killing remain unestablished. The case has since been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is now leading the probe.
Family Demands Strictest Punishment
Hasirani Rath made clear that the family expects accountability. “Those who killed my son should be severely punished. We have faith in the Chief Minister. He also wanted strict punishment for the guilty. We have sought justice. We will know everything when the CBI investigation progresses,” she said. This comes amid broader concerns in West Bengal over targeted political violence, with the Rath killing drawing significant attention given the victim's proximity to a senior opposition leader.
What Happens Next
With the CBI now at the helm, investigators are expected to trace the conspiracy chain beyond the arrested suspects. The case has political undertones that make the identification of the mastermind particularly consequential. All eyes are now on the CBI's next steps as the Rath family and Adhikari await answers.
Point of View
When they come, will carry implications far beyond this single case. Adhikari's public grief is politically legible, but the more important question is whether the CBI can follow the chain of command above the arrested shooters — something state police have so far not managed.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Chandranath Rath?
Chandranath Rath was the personal assistant of West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari. He was shot dead on the night of 6 May in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district, while seated beside the driver in a vehicle.
Who has been arrested in the Chandranath Rath murder case?
State police arrested two persons from Uttar Pradesh and a sharpshooter from Buxar in Bihar in connection with the murder. However, the identity of the main conspirator remains unestablished as of 17 May.
Why has the CBI taken over the Chandranath Rath case?
The Central Bureau of Investigation took over the case after the state police's Special Investigation Team made initial arrests but could not establish who the main conspirator was. The CBI is now leading the probe.
What did Suvendu Adhikari say at the funeral?
Adhikari assured the family that justice would be done. According to Chandranath's mother Hasirani Rath, Adhikari also wept during the visit and said he would ensure the strictest punishment for those responsible.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The CBI is actively investigating the case. Three suspects have been arrested, but the mastermind behind the killing has not yet been identified. The Rath family has said they expect clarity as the CBI probe progresses.
