Hitmen Spent 72 Hours Tracking Suvendu Adhikari’s Aide Before Kolkata Shooting: SIT

Kolkata: Chandranath Rath, a close associate and personal assistant of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead at Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, near Kolkata airport on Wednesday night. Now investigating agencies said that the murder was carried out by professional killers who had conducted a recce of the crime scene three to four days in advance.

When did the shooting happen?

The incident occurred around 10:20 pm on Wednesday in the Doharia area on Jessore Road in Madhyamgram. Chandranath Rath (38) was in his white Scorpio SUV. The attackers blocked his vehicle with another car and then opened fire at point-blank range from motorcycles.

The attackers reportedly fired multiple rounds from Glock 47X pistols. Rath was hit three times in the chest and abdomen, while his companion, Buddhadev Bera, who was driving the SUV, was also shot and remains in critical condition.

According to eyewitnesses and police, a car stopped Rath's SUV, then the assailants on a motorcycle fired a shot through the front passenger window with pistols. The attackers fled the scene on motorcycles immediately after the shooting.

What did police say?

Police said the attackers' vehicles had a fake number plate. One of the motorbikes car used in the attack has been seized. 

West Bengal DGP Siddh Nath Gupta said, "We have recovered empty cartridges and live ammunition from the scene. The motive for the murder is not yet clear, and police are examining CCTV footage."

What does postmortem report say?

Rath's postmortem confirmed three gunshot wounds, two to the chest and one to the abdomen. He died from excessive bleeding and vital organ failure. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

What did Suvendu Adhikari say?

Suvendu Adhikari described the murder of his aide as cold-blooded and premeditated. He said that Chandranath Rath was targeted because of his crucial electoral management role in his victory in Nandigram and the recent Bhabanipur elections.

“The killers did a recce and followed the victim before shooting him at close range,” said Adhikari.

He dismissed TMC’s demand for a court-monitored CBI probe. 

“Trinamool is irrelevant. Cops are working. I spoke to DGP Gupta. They have leads, and some people have been rounded up. I am confident police will be able to arrest the assailants. The investigation is heading in the right direction,” he said.