CBI Takes Over Chandranath Rath Murder Probe Day After Three Sharpshooters Arrested

The Central Bureau of Investigation has formally taken over the probe into the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide and personal assistant to senior BJP leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, following recommendations made earlier by the West Bengal Police. The transfer of the case to the central agency comes a day after three alleged sharpshooters were arrested in connection with the killing, which has triggered intense political and law enforcement attention across the state. The CBI confirmed that a Special Investigation Team will now handle the case under the supervision of the Joint Director and Head of Zone of the Kolkata unit.

According to a statement issued by the agency, the Special Investigation Team will include officers from the Kolkata Zone and other units as required to ensure a comprehensive inquiry. Officials said the central agency officially assumed control of the investigation on Tuesday and would examine all evidence gathered so far by the state police. The case had already been under investigation by a state-level SIT before the handover. Authorities indicated that the transition was aimed at ensuring a broader and more coordinated investigation into the high-profile murder.

The latest development follows the arrest of three accused from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar by the West Bengal Police’s Special Investigation Team. Police officials said the arrests were made after extensive technical surveillance, digital tracking, and intelligence-based operations conducted across multiple states. The suspects were later brought to West Bengal on transit remand and produced before a court in North 24 Parganas district, which remanded them to 13 days of police custody. Investigators believe the accused were hired assailants who entered West Bengal specifically to carry out the attack.

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A senior police officer described the arrests as a significant breakthrough in the investigation, noting that evidence pointed toward the involvement of individuals from outside the state. The officer stated that teams were dispatched to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar after investigators traced digital and technical leads linked to the suspects. Officials are now examining the wider conspiracy behind the murder, including possible political or criminal connections. The CBI is expected to revisit these findings and conduct fresh interrogations as part of its expanded inquiry.

Chandranath Rath was shot dead on the night of May 6, just two days after the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results on May 4. According to investigators, Rath was returning home to Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district after attending a party programme when his vehicle was intercepted at a crossing by a four-wheeler. Police said two motorcycles had allegedly been tailing the vehicle before one of the attackers came alongside and opened fire at close range. Investigators believe nearly ten rounds were fired during the attack, killing Rath on the spot.

Rath’s driver, identified as Buddhadeb Bera, sustained critical injuries in the shooting and is currently recovering. The murder has intensified political tensions in West Bengal, particularly because it occurred shortly after a fiercely contested Assembly election in which the BJP secured a decisive victory while the Trinamool Congress suffered heavy losses. The case has since become one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in the state, with the involvement of the CBI expected to bring greater national scrutiny to the probe and its eventual findings.

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