CBI takes over Suvendu Adhikari aide murder case, forms seven-member SIT

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has assumed charge of the murder case of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, constituting a seven-member Special Investigation Team to be led by a DIG-rank officer, as three accused arrested from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were remanded to police custody till 24 May.

Who Was Chandranath Rath?

Chandranath Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel who served as a close aide to Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead near Madhyamgram on the night of 6 May.

Rath was subsequently taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. His killing sent shockwaves through West Bengal's political establishment, given his proximity to one of the state's most prominent opposition figures.

CBI Forms SIT: What We Know

According to an ANI report citing people familiar with the developments, the CBI has formed a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to lead the probe into Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's PA's death, headed by an officer of DIG rank.

Three Accused Arrested, Remanded to Police Custody

Three individuals, Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya and Raj Singh, have been arrested in connection with the killing and produced before the court. Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya were detained in Buxar, Bihar, while Raj Singh was apprehended in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, on 10 May based on investigative leads. All three were formally arrested following interrogation on Monday morning.

The court has remanded all three to police custody until 24 May, a period of 13 days. Public Prosecutor Advocate Bivas Chatterjee confirmed that the prosecution also sought the addition of charges for destruction of evidence, which the court approved.

“Three persons have been arrested, and the court has sent them to police custody till 24 May, i.e., 13 days of police custody. We also sought the addition of the section relating to the destruction of evidence, which has been added by the court,” Chatterjee told reporters.

Suvendu Adhikari Calls It a Premeditated Political Hit

Adhikari has been unequivocal in his assessment of the killing, describing it as a targeted political act. He alleged that Rath was shot because of his association with him and his political victory over former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur.

“This was a planned operation. A recce was conducted for several days, and the victim was followed before being shot at close range,” Adhikari had said.

Political Parties Demand Judicial Oversight of Probe

The killing has drawn sharp responses from across West Bengal's political spectrum. Trinamool Congress demanded a court-monitored CBI investigation into the incident, calling for an inquiry that is both impartial and thorough. The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee similarly demanded an independent investigation conducted under judicial supervision.

The CBI's takeover of the case addresses some of those demands, though calls for formal court monitoring of the investigation are likely to continue as the probe develops.