The investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close associate of Suvendu Adhikari, has now widened beyond West Bengal, with police tracing links to both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as investigators pursue what they believe was a carefully planned and coordinated killing.
In a major development in the case, Kolkata Police and Ayodhya Police jointly arrested Raj Singh, a resident of Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, who had reportedly been staying in Bihar’s Buxar district before the incident.
According to investigators, Singh allegedly fled to Ayodhya and went into hiding after Rath was shot dead on May 6. Acting on intelligence inputs and technical surveillance, police tracked him down and took him into custody during a joint operation.
Following his arrest, Singh was brought to Kolkata for detailed interrogation as investigators attempt to uncover the larger conspiracy behind the killing.
The probe has since expanded further, with the West Bengal Special Task Force conducting raids in Bihar’s Buxar district as part of efforts to identify possible criminal networks and accomplices linked to the case.
During the operation, STF officials detained Vishal Srivastava, described by police as a notorious criminal with several serious cases registered against him, including murder charges and violations under the Arms Act.
Sources said Srivastava was transported to Kolkata and questioned extensively regarding his possible connections to the suspects and movements linked to the murder plot.
However, after interrogation, the police released him as investigators reportedly did not find sufficient grounds to formally arrest him at this stage of the investigation.
Meanwhile, investigators have also uncovered what they believe could be a crucial digital clue that may help reconstruct the movements of the accused before and after the murder.
Police said a UPI transaction allegedly carried out by suspects at a toll plaza near Bally, close to Kolkata, has emerged as a major lead in the case.
Officials are now closely examining CCTV footage from the toll plaza along with transaction records in an effort to identify the suspects, trace the route used during the escape, and establish a clearer timeline of events surrounding the murder.
Investigators believe the digital payment trail may significantly strengthen the case by linking suspects directly to the vehicles and locations involved in the operation.
According to police, Rath, a former Air Force officer who later became closely associated with Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead near his residence in Madhyamgram.
Investigators said Rath was travelling in an SUV when the attackers allegedly intercepted the vehicle around 200 metres away from his home.
Police believe a silver Nissan Micra was deliberately used to block Rath’s SUV on the road.
As soon as the vehicle stopped, bike-borne assailants allegedly approached and opened fire at close range, fatally shooting Rath, who was seated in the front passenger seat at the time of the attack.
Officials suspect the attackers had detailed prior knowledge about Rath’s route, routine, and seating arrangement inside the vehicle, suggesting that the murder may have been planned well in advance and executed with precision.
As part of the investigation, police have recovered the silver Nissan Micra believed to have been used during the crime.
Authorities have also seized two motorcycles allegedly connected to the attackers — one recovered from near the crime scene and another later traced to Barasat.
Preliminary findings suggest that the vehicles used during the murder and escape operation may have been sstolen toconceal the identities of those involved.
Investigators are now examining whether the murder was linked to political rivalry, organised criminal involvement, or a larger conspiracy involving interstate operatives.
