KOLKATA: Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead at point-blank range by motorcycle-borne assailants in Madhyamgram, near Kolkata airport, on Wednesday around 10:20 PM. Another aide, Buddhadeb Bera, was critically injured in the attack, which took place inside their vehicle.
Rath, part of Adhikari’s close circle for over five years, was en route to his home when his Scorpio was ambushed. A gunman on a motorcycle opened fire through the front passenger window. Rath, in his early 40s, was pronounced dead upon arrival at a nearby hospital.
This shooting occurred on the heels of a day marked by political violence following the recent assembly elections in West Bengal, where the BJP secured a significant victory, winning 207 out of 294 seats. Adhikari retained his Nandigram seat and defeated the outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhowanipore, highlighting the political tensions in the region.
Local investigators indicated uncertainty regarding the motive for the attack, considering both personal and political enmity as potential factors. The BJP leadership has since directed party officials to restore calm amid the unrest. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya attributed the killing to the Trinamool Congress, stating, “This was expected only from Trinamool. They are responsible for this death.” In contrast, the Trinamool Congress condemned the incident and called for a court-monitored CBI investigation to ensure accountability.
According to police reports, Rath and Bera were traveling from Kolkata to Rath’s home in Michaelnagar when the attack occurred on Jessore Road in Doharia, roughly 3 kilometers from the NSCBI airport. Eyewitnesses noted that four motorcycles, carrying eight individuals, were trailing their vehicle before a car from the opposite direction blocked them. The assailants, reportedly without helmets, fired multiple rounds, with eyewitness accounts estimating around eight to nine shots were fired.
Rath sustained three gunshot wounds to the chest, stomach, and head, while Bera was also injured. The wounded aides were immediately taken to a local private hospital, where Rath was declared dead and Bera remains under treatment. Police have not yet been able to interview Bera due to his condition.
Investigating officers have gathered CCTV footage that captured the assailants fleeing the scene. Authorities have cordoned off the crime scene while senior police officials continue to assess the situation.
