A Barasat court remanded three accused individuals to 13-day police custody on Monday, May 11, 2026, regarding the murder of Chandranath Rath [1], [2].
The case involves a high-profile target as Rath served as an aide to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The legal proceedings signal a critical phase in the Special Investigation Team's effort to uncover the motive and broader conspiracy behind the killing.
Investigators are focusing on the events of May 6, 2026, when Rath was killed [1]. The three suspects were apprehended in Uttar Pradesh, though some reports indicate that Bihar was also involved in the arrests [1], [4].
Police officials said a UPI transaction at a toll plaza provided a key lead that helped track the suspects [5]. This digital trail allowed the Special Investigation Team to locate the individuals across state lines.
The court decision to grant 13 days of custody [1] allows investigators to interrogate the suspects in detail. Police are working to determine if the suspects acted alone or were part of a coordinated effort to target the Chief Minister's staff.
While some reports list the arrests as occurring solely in Uttar Pradesh [4], other sources specify that both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were sites of the apprehensions [1]. The investigation remains active as the SIT examines the financial, and digital footprints left by the accused during their transit.
“Three accused were remanded to 13-day police custody”
The use of UPI transaction data to track suspects across state borders highlights the increasing reliance on digital financial footprints in solving high-profile criminal cases in India. Because the victim was a close aide to the Chief Minister, the outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for the security apparatus surrounding top state officials in West Bengal.
