#JUSTIN: Three Arrested in Murder of Suvendu Adhikari's Aide; UPI Payment at Toll Booth Cracks Case

Three people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, following a joint operation conducted by police teams from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The accused, identified as Vishal Srivastava, Raj Singh, and Mayank, were detained after investigators tracked digital payment records linked to the suspects’ escape route. Authorities described the arrests as a major breakthrough in the high-profile murder investigation that has drawn significant political attention in the state.

Chandranath Rath was shot dead late Wednesday night while returning home in Madhyamgram in the North 24 Parganas district. According to investigators, the attack took place between 10 pm and 10:10 pm when Rath’s SUV, a Mahindra Scorpio, was intercepted less than 200 metres from his residence. Rath was seated in the front passenger seat when unidentified assailants opened fire at close range, killing him on the spot before fleeing the area.

Preliminary findings suggest the attackers used a silver-coloured Nissan Micra to block Rath’s vehicle before bike-borne shooters carried out the attack. Police believe the operation was carefully planned, with the assailants allegedly coordinating their escape using multiple vehicles. After the shooting, the suspects reportedly abandoned the Micra and switched to another red-coloured car along with a motorcycle in an attempt to evade capture and mislead investigators tracking their movements.

Also Read: Planned Attack: Killers Knew Seating Position Of Suvendu Adhikari’s Aide, Say Police

Investigators later examined CCTV footage collected from nearby roads, toll plazas, and highways to trace the suspects’ escape route. According to police officials, a significant breakthrough came after authorities identified a UPI transaction made by the suspects at a toll booth in Bally near Kolkata. The digital payment trail reportedly helped police establish the movement of the accused and coordinate searches across multiple states, eventually leading to their arrests in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The coordinated operation involved close collaboration between law enforcement agencies from the three states, with police teams conducting raids based on technical surveillance and intelligence inputs. Officials said further interrogation of the accused is underway to determine the motive behind the killing and identify whether additional individuals were involved in planning or executing the attack. Investigators are also examining possible political and personal angles linked to the murder.

The killing of Chandranath Rath has triggered widespread concern in West Bengal due to his close association with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Political leaders and party workers have demanded strict action against those responsible for the attack. Security agencies have meanwhile intensified monitoring in sensitive areas as the investigation continues, with authorities expected to present more details regarding the conspiracy and background of the accused in the coming days.

Also Read: Probe Into Chandranath Rath Murder Reveals Mystery Vehicle And Fake Number Plates