BJP's Shankar Ghosh who was on call with Chandranath Rath says ‘heard 2-3 voices, then call got disconnected’
Shankar Ghosh also alleged that some ‘big people are behind’ the killing. Describing the sequence of events, the BJP leader said he initially heard unusual sounds during the call but did not immediately realise what had happened.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shankar Ghosh, who won from Siliguri Assembly constituency, was on a call with Suvendu Adhikari's aide Chandranath Rath, reportedly just before the shootout in Madhyamgram, and revealed that he heard “2-3 voices” before the call got disconnected.
He also alleged that some “big people are behind” the killing. Describing the sequence of events, Shankar Ghosh said he initially heard unusual sounds during the call but did not immediately realise what had happened.
Speaking with ANI, Shankar Ghosh said, “I was an MLA for 5 years, so I got acquainted with him only after he became an MLA. We formed a bond while working together. I spoke to him yesterday, also. I was going to the convention centre from the hostel. We were talking on the phone at around 10 o'clock; in between the conversation, I heard 2-3 voices, but the voices were of people and not any bullets or such sounds.”
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Chandranath Rath was shot dead from close range by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle in Madhyamgram. His SUV was blocked and forced to stop before the shooters opened fire through the window. The assailants waited for him to die before fleeing the scene.
BJP leader Shankar Ghosh, who was on a call with Chandranath Rath just before the shooting, reported hearing '2-3 voices' during the conversation. He initially thought it was a cross-connection, but the call was disconnected shortly after.
Chandranath Rath was a close aide and executive assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. He previously served in the Indian Air Force for nearly two decades and was involved in campaign management and political coordination for the BJP.
Suvendu Adhikari described the killing as a 'cold-blooded murder' and a 'targeted assassination,' suggesting the assailants had conducted a recce beforehand. He expressed faith in the police investigation and appealed to party workers to not take the law into their own hands.
Police suspect the use of sophisticated firearms, possibly Glock 47X pistols, in the murder of Chandranath Rath. This has led to speculation that professional shooters may have been involved in the attack.
“I thought there might be a cross-connection or something. I disconnected the call and called him again, but no one received it. Then I messaged him, but there was no reply to that either,” Shankar Ghosh said.
He later called Chandranath Rath, but the call was picked up by an unknown person who informed him about the shooting.
“When I called again, a man picked up my phone and told me that Chandra had been shot. It was quite shocking at that moment. I asked for the location and informed Suvendu Da and the others about the incident. At that time, no one knew anything,” Shankar Ghosh said.
He further claimed that Rath's killing appeared to be a planned operation, alleging that the attack was not spontaneous. Ghosh also said Rath was actively involved in organisational responsibilities and was expected to play a key role in upcoming political meetings and programmes.
"It's very unfortunate that when we succeeded in overthrowing the government we worked to oust, such an incident occurred, that too just before the swearing-in ceremony. Tomorrow is a meeting of the MLAs, in which he is about to play a major role. His murder was carried out by a sharpshooter. Some big people's hands are behind this. I don't know why it happened; it's a matter of investigation. I was talking to him about the program for 8th and 9th," he said.
(With agency inputs)
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