Chandranath Rath, a personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in Madhyamgram, a suburb of Kolkata, on March 6, 2024 [1].
The killing of a high-profile political aide underscores the volatility of political violence in West Bengal. The incident has triggered a sharp confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
According to police reports, the attack was a targeted killing carried out by gunmen who fired from both sides of Rath's SUV [2]. Forensic evidence indicates Rath sustained bullet injuries to the left chest, and the right side of his abdomen [2]. Investigators believe the assassination was not spontaneous but was instead a calculated operation.
"The conspiracy was hatched over the last three days; it was planned and rehearsed," a senior police official said. The official said that Rath's schedule was closely monitored and his movements were marked prior to the attack [3]. Police estimates suggest the planning phase lasted three to four days [2].
The murder has intensified the political row in the region. A BJP spokesperson said the ruling TMC fostered lawlessness following the murder [1]. The BJP has consistently accused the state government of failing to maintain public order.
The TMC dismissed these allegations, calling them baseless political mud-slinging [1]. A spokesperson for the party said the charges were unfounded and denied any involvement in the conspiracy.
While some reports have raised questions regarding potential links to external networks, official police statements provided in the dossier focus on the localized planning and execution of the crime [3].
“"The conspiracy was hatched over the last three days; it was planned and rehearsed."”
The targeted killing of a political aide during a post-election period reflects the deep-seated animosity between the BJP and TMC in West Bengal. The level of planning described by police suggests a level of surveillance and coordination that indicates a professional hit rather than a random act of violence, further polarizing the state's political climate.
