CBI Takes Over Investigation of Chandranath Rath Murder Case in West Bengal
CBI Assumes Control of Murder Investigation
The murder case of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Following a recommendation from the state police, the CBI officially commenced its investigation today. The agency has announced the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to oversee the case, which will be monitored by the joint director of the Kolkata region. The team will include officers and personnel from the Kolkata area as needed to ensure a thorough and effective investigation.
Recent Developments in the Case
This development comes after the West Bengal police's special investigation team apprehended three shooters from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The arrested suspects were brought to West Bengal on transit remand, where a court in North 24 Parganas placed them in police custody for 13 days. According to investigators, the team was dispatched to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar based on technical surveillance, digital evidence, and other clues. The arrests were made following leads from a UPI transaction linked to a toll plaza.
Details of the Murder Incident
To recap, Chandranath Rath was shot dead on the night of May 6 in the Madhyamgram area, just two days after the assembly election results were announced. He was returning from an event when a vehicle blocked his car, while two motorcycles had been tailing him. During this encounter, an assailant fired approximately ten shots, resulting in Rath's immediate death, while his driver, Buddhadev Bera, sustained serious injuries. The driver is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be improving.
Claims of Innocence from Arrested Suspect's Family
Meanwhile, Jaswanti Singh, the mother of Raj Singh, one of the arrested suspects from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, has claimed her son’s innocence and questioned the police actions. She asserts that at the time of the incident, Raj was with family in Lucknow, Ambedkar Nagar, and Ayodhya, attending a wedding ceremony. She stated that they visited the shrine of Makhdoom Ashraf Baba in Ambedkar Nagar before heading to Ayodhya. Jaswanti alleges that police stopped their vehicle on the way back and took Raj Singh into custody.
Evidence Supporting Raj Singh's Alibi
Jaswanti Singh also mentioned that they possess CCTV footage from their home, market, and other locations that could prove Raj was in Ballia from May 6 to May 9. She has called for a fair investigation, claiming her son has been falsely implicated, and has appealed to the central government and investigative agencies for justice.
Legal Representation and Social Media Presence
Raj Singh's lawyer, Harivansh Singh, welcomed the CBI's investigation order, stating that once the CBI examines the CCTV footage and other evidence in Ballia, the truth will emerge. The lawyer accused the West Bengal police of not following legal procedures during the arrest, asserting that a transit remand was necessary before transporting Raj Singh to Kolkata, which was not adhered to.
Raj Singh's Social Media Activity
In the meantime, several images and videos of Raj Singh have surfaced on social media, showing him with various influential individuals. He has identified himself on his social media accounts as the General Secretary of the All India Kshatriya Mahasabha in Uttar Pradesh and a potential leader in the Chilkahar area. His photos have also been shared with the state’s transport minister, Dayashankar Singh, and former MP Brij Bhushan Singh.
Political and Legal Implications
The Chandranath Rath murder case has now become highly sensitive from both political and legal perspectives. With the CBI investigation underway, all eyes are on what revelations the agency will make regarding the conspiracy behind the murder, the network of assailants, and any potential political connections.