The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Raj Kumar Singh in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, on May 13, 2024 [2].
The arrest marks a significant step in solving the murder of Chandrakant Rath, the personal assistant to West Bengal leader Suvendu Adhikari. Because the victim served a high-profile political figure, the case has intensified existing tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Singh is suspected of involvement in the shooting death of Rath, which occurred on May 6, 2024 [1]. The investigation transitioned to the CBI to ensure a neutral probe into the politically sensitive killing.
"The CBI has arrested Raj Kumar Singh in connection with the murder of Chandrakant Rath," a CBI spokesperson said [1].
Investigators tracked the suspects using digital footprints. A senior police officer involved in the investigation said that a UPI transaction at a toll plaza served as the biggest clue that led authorities to the accused [3].
While Singh is identified as a key suspect, he is not the only person detained. Reports indicate that three accused individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime [3]. The operation in Muzaffarnagar concluded the search for Singh after he was traced to the district in Uttar Pradesh.
The CBI continues to examine the motives behind the May 6 attack, an event that has drawn widespread attention across West Bengal and neighboring states.
“"The UPI transaction at the toll plaza was the biggest clue that led us to the accused,"”
The involvement of the CBI and the use of digital financial tracking to apprehend suspects across state lines highlight the high stakes of the investigation. Because the victim was a close aide to a prominent political leader, the resolution of this case is critical to preventing further political volatility in West Bengal.
