BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday claimed that the killing of his personal aide, Chandranath Rath, was a “premeditated murder” linked to his political connection.
![North 24 Parganas [West Bengal]May 07 (ANI): Chandranath Roth, personal aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was reportedly shot dead in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas on Wednesday. (Utpal Sarkar)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2026/05/07/400x225/ANI-20260507049-0_1778154858528_1778154869849.jpg "North 24 Parganas [West Bengal]May 07 (ANI): Chandranath Roth, personal aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was reportedly shot dead in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas on Wednesday. (Utpal Sarkar)")
He also claimed that the former IAF soldier was targeted because he worked closely with a senior BJP leader.
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“No matter how much we condemn the way this murder was carried out, it is not enough. He was killed because he was my aide and I defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur. This could be the reason behind his murder. I stand with his family and the family’s demand is to arrest those who committed this murder and ensure they are punished,” Adhikari said.
He added, “The autopsy showed that 4 bullets were fired at him… and that this murder was premeditated.”
Rath, a former Indian Air Force soldier, was shot dead in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday evening.
“Ex-Indian Air Force soldier, Rath, might not have been killed if he had not been my personal assistant, and if I had not won from Bhabanipur. His only fault was Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant. Five bullets were fired at him to ensure his death,” the BJP leader said.
Referring to the investigation, Adhikari said that Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar informed him that a motorcycle allegedly used in the crime was recovered about four kilometers from the spot.
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“The police are working. I have spoken to the Directorate General of Police; they have leads, and some people have been arrested. I am confident that the police will be able to arrest the attackers. The CID and the Criminal Investigation Unit are working, and the police are moving in the right direction,” Adhikari told reporters outside the hospital.
He claimed that the police are capable of solving such cases, but claimed that they were “not allowed” to do so earlier, in an apparent attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress government.
When asked about the TMC’s demand for a CBI probe into the murder, Adhikari said: “There is no importance for the TMC now. The police will be able to solve this problem.”
The BJP leader urged the police to identify all those involved in the murder and ensure they get the death penalty.
But Rath’s mother demanded life imprisonment instead of the death penalty, saying she understood the mother’s pain. She is also a BJP activist in Purba Medinipur.
Speaking about the incident, Adhikari said: “This is a pre-planned murder, this is what the Director General of Police said. A reconnaissance was conducted for two-three days and the entire murder was planned. The police have started investigation… We are saddened and do not have the words to condemn this incident.”
“Our entire command from Delhi has got information about this matter. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar spoke to the (deceased) family and police… Several leaders and selected MLAs have come here from their areas… Police have found some evidence and will investigate…”
“This is the result of 15 years of Maha Jungle Raj rule… BJP will start purge of goons here…”
