Chandranath Rath, personal assistant of BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead around 11:30 pm on Wednesday in North 24 Parganas district, police said. He reportedly sustained bullet injuries on his chest and head.
According to police, the incident took place when Rath was travelling in a Scorpio vehicle towards Siliguri via the Madhyamgram area on NH-12. Near the Doharia area on Jessore Road, his vehicle was allegedly intercepted and surrounded by bike-borne miscreants, who opened fire. Around four to five rounds were reportedly fired, with bullets striking him fatally.
He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Three others, including the driver, were also injured in the attack and are undergoing treatment.
Following the incident, BJP workers staged a blockade on NH-12, demanding strict action against the attackers and calling for an encounter of those involved.
Police say 8–10 rounds of firing count; doctors estimate up to 15–16 rounds
Yesterday, initial reports suggested four rounds of firing. Later at night, police updated the figure to around 8 to 10 rounds. Doctors at the hospital, however, claimed that nearly 15 to 16 rounds may have been fired.
Police say victim’s movements tracked for a week before killing
Police investigation into the murder of Chandranath in Madhyamgram has revealed that the assailants had been tracking his movements for nearly a week before carrying out the attack.
According to officials, the attackers closely monitored his daily routine, including the routes he took, the vehicle he travelled in, and even the seat he usually occupied inside the car.
The findings emerged after police analysed CCTV footage from multiple cameras installed along key roads in the area.
Suvendu Adhikari reaches the spot
TMC seeks court-monitored CBI probe into Chandranath Rath killing
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has demanded a CBI investigation into the killing of Chandranath Rath, urging that the probe should be conducted under court supervision.
In a statement, the party said: “We condemn the brutal killing of Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram. We demand strict action in this case, in which a CBI inquiry should be conducted under the supervision of the court. The killing of other BJP and TMC workers should also be investigated.”
Photos of the attack-
4 rounds of bullets were fired
The driver of the car, Buddhadev Bera has sustained a bullet injury to the left side of his chest
The driver was taken to SSKM Hospital for treatment
BJP workers gathered outside the city hospital in Madhyagram
BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar arrives at the spot
In a separate incident, about an hour later, BJP worker Rohit Roy was also shot in Basirhat district around 12:30 pm, leaving him critically injured, according to reports.
The incidents have intensified political tensions in the state. Over the last two days, at least five political workers, including two BJP workers and three TMC workers,have reportedly been killed in West Bengal.
