West Bengal Police have formed multiple teams to track the suspects in the killing of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, even as the incident has sparked political outrage in the state.
Rath was returning home late Wednesday night in North 24 Parganas district when unidentified assailants shot him dead.
"Going by the circumstantial evidence, it seems that the murder was pre-planned. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the crime spot and nearby areas, while multiple police teams have been formed to trace the assailants," a senior officer told PTI. “A detailed investigation has begun, and several leads are being pursued.”
Earlier, Director General of Police (DGP) Siddh Nath Gupta said a suspicious vehicle that allegedly blocked Rath’s car had been seized. The number plate attached to it, however, was found to be fake. Preliminary findings suggest that a small four-wheeler blocked Rath’s vehicle near Doharia junction, after which a motorcycle-borne assailant approached and opened fire at close range before fleeing.
“The chassis and engine numbers of the small car were erased, indicating prior planning. The vehicle’s registration belongs to a person in Siliguri, employed at a tea estate,” said an officer.
Police have recovered live rounds and fired cartridges from the spot, while eyewitness statements are being recorded as part of the investigation. A forensic team reached the place on Thursday morning and collected samples.
Based on preliminary forensic inputs, investigators suspect that sophisticated firearms, possibly Glock 47X pistols, were used in the attack. “Weapons of this nature are generally not used by ordinary criminals. We are examining whether professional shooters were involved,” a police official added.
Adhikari, who is the chief ministerial frontrunner after the BJP’s landslide win in the state, earlier alleged that the assailants conducted reconnaissance for several days before executing the attack.
“This is a pre-planned murder. A recce was done for two to three days, and the attack was meticulously carried out. Police have initiated an investigation and some evidence has already been recovered,” he said.