Chandranath Rath killing: In a major development following the killing of Suvendu Adhikari's aide Chandranath Rath, the cops have arrested at least three persons from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for their alleged involvement in the case, police said on Monday.
The three accused – identified as Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya and Raj Singh – were detained on Sunday, 10 May, and later apprehended by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the murder that occurred in North 24 Parganas district's Madhyamgram area on the night of 6 May.
While Mayank and Vicky were held from Buxar in Bihar, Raj Singh was apprehended from Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. The initial probe had also suggested that the assailants were outsiders. One of the occupants allegedly paid the toll through a UPI transaction.
“Based on specific leads, Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya were detained from Buxar, Bihar and Raj Singh was detained from Ballia (Uttar Pradesh) on 10.5.26. On subsequent interrogation, all three were arrested this morning by Madhyamgram PS. Investigation is proceeding,” a press release said.
Investigators traced "digital clues and interstate links" in the case, the senior police officer said.
"This is a breakthrough. The investigation indicated that the assailants were from outside West Bengal. Based on technical surveillance, digital tracking and other inputs, members of the SIT were sent to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They arrested the three persons from UP. They will be brought to West Bengal on transit remand," the officer told PTI.
Chandranath Rath's killing
According to the media reports, Chandranath Rath was shot point-blank after his SUV was forced to slow down near Doltala, Madhyamgram. Some men then approached the vehicle and fired shots at Chandranath Rath through the rolled-up window.
Three of the bullets fired hit Chandranath Rath, who died soon after. An Indian Express report mentioned that the killers waited for a while to ensure that Suvendu Adhikari's aide had indeed died. "After he shot Rath, the killer waited for him to die,” a senior police officer was cited as saying.
