Chandranath Rath
Chandranath Rath | |
|---|---|
| Died | May 6, 2026 (aged 41) Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India |
Cause of death | Assassination by shooting |
| Occupations | Political assistant, former Indian Air Force airman |
| Employer | Suvendu Adhikari |
| Known for | Executive assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari |
Chandranath Rath (c. 1985 – 6 May 2026) was an Indian political strategist, executive assistant, and former technical tradesman in the Indian Air Force.[1] He was from Chandipur, Purba Medinipur in West Bengal.[2][3] He served as the close aide and personal assistant to Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suvendu Adhikari.[4]
Rath was assassinated in Madhyamgram, Barasat, West Bengal on 6 May 2026, amid the severe post-election political violence that followed the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election.[5]
Career
Before entering the political sphere, Rath served in the Indian Air Force for two decades.[6][7] He transitioned into politics and became the executive assistant to Suvendu Adhikari in 2021, handling his office operations, strategy, and election-related work.[8] Within political circles, BJP leaders often described him as "Mr. Dependable" due to his quiet strategic acumen and tight coordination of Adhikari's campaigns.[9] His tenure coincided with Adhikari's prominent victory over Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency in 2026.[10]
Assassination
On the night of Wednesday, 6 May 2026, at approximately 10:30 pm, Rath was returning from Kolkata to his flat at Orchard Estate in Madhyamgram, located in the North 24 Parganas district.[11] As his SUV reached Doharia on Jessore Road, about 200 metres from his residence, the vehicle was intercepted.[12]
According to police and eyewitness reports, a silver Santro car (registration WB74AX2270) overtook Rath's SUV and forced it to slow down.[13] Immediately after, a motorcycle without a registration plate approached the vehicle.[14] The assailants fired at the front windshield, before firing multiple rounds at point-blank range directly at Rath, who was seated in the front.[15] Up to 10 rounds were fired, striking him in the chest, abdomen, and head.[13]
The driver of the SUV was also critically injured and was admitted to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata.[13] Rath was rushed to Diversity Nursing Home but was declared dead upon arrival.[7]
Investigation
The police launched an immediate investigation into the assassination, suspecting a highly premeditated hit. Forensics teams recovered multiple bullet casings at the scene, suggesting the potential use of a Glock pistol.[13] A large contingent of police and central forces was subsequently deployed to cordon off the area and maintain order.[16] Detectives detained three local history-sheeters for questioning, though the primary shooters remained at large.[13]
Political Reactions
The killing, occurring merely 48 hours after the conclusion of the volatile assembly elections, sparked a fierce political storm across West Bengal.[17] The BJP leadership condemned the attack as a "targeted assassination," accusing the ruling All India Trinamool Congress of orchestrating retaliatory violence following their electoral losses to Adhikari.[18] Rath's mother also publicly accused the TMC of a planned attack in response to Mamata Banerjee's poll defeat.[19]
The Trinamool Congress vehemently denied the allegations. In an official statement, the TMC condemned the brutal murder, called for a thorough CBI probe, and highlighted that their own workers were concurrently suffering from violence instigated by BJP-backed miscreants.[16]
See also
References
- ↑ Basu, Kinsuk (9 May 2026). "Chandranath Rath worked as 'technical tradesman' with Indian Air Force, says senior officer". The Telegraph (India). Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ↑ "Who was Chandranath Rath? The ex-IAF man who became Suvendu Adhikari's trusted troubleshooter". The Hindu. The Hindu. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "Who was Chandranath Rath, ex-IAF officer who became Suvendu Adhikari's aide?". India Today. 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari aide shot dead as post-poll violence rocks Bengal". The Indian Express. 6 May 2026.
- ↑ "Who was Chandranath Rath, Suvendu Adhikari's PA shot dead by unknown gunmen?". Deccan Herald. 6 May 2026.
- ↑ Basu, Kinsuk (9 May 2026). "Chandranath Rath worked as 'technical tradesman' with Indian Air Force, says senior officer". The Telegraph (India). Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Who was Chandranath Rath, ex-IAF officer who became Suvendu Adhikari's aide?". India Today. 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Chandranath not Suvendu Adhikari's 1st PA to die unnaturally: A 2013 flashback to Pradip Jha's death". Hindustan Times. 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Chandranath not Suvendu Adhikari's 1st PA to die unnaturally: A 2013 flashback to Pradip Jha's death". Hindustan Times. 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Chandranath Rath murder: 3 shooters, gunshots from point-blank range killed Suvendu's PA". India TV News. 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari's close aide Chandranath Rath shot dead in West Bengal's Madhyamgram". The Times of India. 6 May 2026.
- ↑ "Adhikari's PA Chandranath Rath Shot Dead Near Home, Shocking Details Pour In". News18. 6 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Tailed, blocked, shot dead: Cops say Suvendu Adhikari aide's murder was planned". India Today. 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari PA shot dead: How Chandranath Rath was killed, here is an event-by-event breakdown". The Economic Times. 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "BJP leaders claimed several bullets hit his chest, leading to excessive blood loss". The Times of India. Press Trust of India. 6 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Suvendu Adhikari's close aide Chandranath Rath shot dead in West Bengal's Madhyamgram". The Times of India. 6 May 2026.
- ↑ "Who was Chandranath Rath, Suvendu Adhikari's PA shot dead by unknown gunmen?". Deccan Herald. 6 May 2026.
- ↑ "Chandranath Rath murder: 3 shooters, gunshots from point-blank range killed Suvendu's PA". India TV News. 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "My son was killed over Mamata's poll loss: Mother of Suvendu's aide targets TMC". India Today. 7 May 2026.