Three suspects were produced before the Barasat Court on Monday in connection with the contract killing of Chandranath Rath [2].
The arrests mark a significant step in a high-profile investigation involving the personal assistant to West Bengal leader Suvendu Adhikari. Because the killing is linked to broader electoral violence, the case has become a flashpoint for political tension in the region [5].
Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya, and Raj Singh are the suspects arrested for the murder [1]. Investigators identified the three men as sharpshooters [2]. The arrests followed a trail of UPI payments that led police to the suspects [3].
Rath was killed on the night of May 6, 2026 [3]. The suspects were presented in court on May 11, 2026 [2]. Following the hearing, the court granted 13 days of police custody [4].
The murder is described as a pre-planned contract killing [5]. The BJP has linked the crime to political motives. A BJP spokesperson said the party "had anticipated murder three days ago" [4].
The proceedings took place at the Barasat Court in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal [2]. Police are continuing their investigation to determine if other individuals were involved in the planning or execution of the hit [1].
“The arrests followed a trail of UPI payments that led police to the suspects.”
The use of digital payment trails to apprehend contract killers highlights a shift in forensic capabilities within West Bengal's police force. However, the involvement of a high-ranking political aide and the subsequent accusations of anticipated violence suggest that the legal outcome of this case may further inflame the existing political volatility between the BJP and the TMC.
