Former Air Force Officer and Suvendu Adhikari’s Aide Chandranath Rath Shot Dead in Bengal

West Bengal witnessed a major political shock on Wednesday night after Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district.

According to police, attackers intercepted Rath’s vehicle and opened fire multiple times, critically injuring him and his driver. Rath later died during treatment at a private hospital. Police suspect the attack was pre-planned.

Chandranath Rath, 42, was a former Indian Air Force officer and a trusted associate of Suvendu Adhikari. A resident of East Midnapore’s Chandipur area, he joined Adhikari in 2019 and remained closely associated with him even after the BJP leader’s exit from the Trinamool Congress.

Rath came into public focus during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, especially during the Bhabanipur strongroom controversy. He had led BJP supporters protesting outside the counting centre and was involved in heated exchanges with police over alleged irregularities near the premises.

Investigators said Rath’s car was allegedly chased by another vehicle and a motorcycle before the attackers forced it to stop and fired several rounds. A suspicious car has been seized, though police believe its number plate may have been tampered with.

Following the incident, BJP workers staged protests and blocked a national highway demanding strict action and a detailed probe into the killing.

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