I Hold TMC Responsible for Gundagardi: Slain Aide's Mother Demands Life Sentence, Not Death Penalty

The mother of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s aide, Chandranath Rath, has accused the ruling All India Trinamool Congress of being responsible for her son’s murder in West Bengal. Rath, who served as Adhikari’s personal assistant, was shot dead near his residence in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night. The attack took place when unidentified bike-borne assailants opened fire at his SUV at close range.

Speaking to NDTV, Rath’s mother Hasirani Rath described the killing as an act of “gundagardi” and blamed the Trinamool Congress for creating an atmosphere of political violence. She said she learned about the incident through television reports and demanded strict punishment for those behind the attack. However, she said she did not want the accused to face the death penalty, instead calling for life imprisonment.

According to police, Rath was seated in the front passenger seat of a Mahindra Scorpio when the attackers fired multiple bullets at the vehicle. Visuals from the scene showed bullet holes on the left front window of the SUV. Rath’s driver, identified as Buddhadeb, was also injured in the shooting and was rushed to hospital for treatment. Authorities have since formed a special investigation team to probe the case.

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Suvendu Adhikari termed the killing a “pre-planned” and “cold-blooded murder”, alleging the attackers had conducted surveillance for several days before carrying out the shooting. He claimed Rath was targeted because of his close association with him and linked the murder to the recent West Bengal Assembly election outcome. Adhikari also demanded swift arrests and severe punishment for those involved in the crime.

Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress condemned the murder and denied involvement in the incident. The party instead blamed “BJP-backed miscreants” for post-poll violence and called for a court-monitored CBI investigation into the killing. Political tensions in the state have intensified following the incident, with both parties trading allegations over the deteriorating law and order situation in Bengal.

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