Suvendu Adhikari’s PA Murdered in West Bengal: Police Recover Second Bike, Suspect Professional Hit

A fresh claim has surfaced in the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant Chandranath Rath, with initial investigation pointing to a “planned hit” carried out by hired shooters on Wednesday night. Police have since recovered a second motorcycle believed to have been used in the attack.

The 42-year-old was shot multiple times around 10:30 pm while returning home from Kolkata to Madhyamgram. Three suspects have been detained for questioning, though no formal arrests have been made yet.

Second Bike Recovered Near Rail Gate

The additional motorcycle was found late Thursday night near the No. 11 rail gate area in Barasat. According to officials familiar with the investigation, the bike had reportedly been stolen earlier from the Dumdum neighbourhood. Multiple police teams are now working to trace the sequence of movement before and after the shooting.

A Pattern of Loss for the BJP Leader

This is not the first time Suvendu Adhikari has lost someone from his inner circle. Over the past 13 years, three close aides have died under circumstances that have raised questions.

In 2013, when Suvendu was still with the Trinamool Congress, his private assistant Pradeep Jha passed away. Investigators then termed it a natural death. Five years later, in 2018, his personal security officer Subhrata Chakraborty was found dead in what police ruled a suicide. Then in 2021, another personal assistant, Pulak Lahiri, also died in unusual circumstances.

MLA Was on Call When Shots Were Fired

A striking detail has emerged from the night of the murder. BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh has claimed that he was speaking to Chandranath on the phone when the attack happened.

“We were discussing the upcoming swearing-in ceremony. Suddenly, I heard gunshots over the phone, followed by someone groaning in pain. The call got disconnected,” Ghosh told reporters. He said he tried calling back repeatedly but there was no response. When someone finally answered, an unknown person informed him that Chandranath had been shot dead.

A 90-Minute Timeline of the Attack

Around 9 pm, Chandranath left Kolkata in a Scorpio SUV, seated beside the driver. At approximately 9:58 pm, CCTV cameras in Madhyamgram captured the vehicle passing through. Shortly after, another car and two motorcycles carrying three individuals were seen following it.

By 10:30 pm, near Doharia Junction, the car overtook the Scorpio and stopped in front of it, forcing the driver to halt. Before anyone could react, bike-borne attackers approached from the left and fired between six to ten rounds. Two bullets hit Chandranath in the chest, one in the abdomen.

The assailants then abandoned the car at the spot and fled on motorcycles using two separate routes. Police later found the car’s registration number was fake, and the chassis number had been tampered with.

Glock 47X Pistol Used in Killing

Officials have confirmed that the attackers used a Glock 47X pistol, a modern weapon not typically seen in ordinary criminal cases. “The manner of the attack suggests it was executed by professional shooters,” a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.

From Air Force to Politics

Chandranath was not a career politician from the start. He served as an Air Force officer before taking voluntary retirement, then worked in the corporate sector for some time. He had been associated with Suvendu Adhikari since his Trinamool Congress days and was considered one of his most trusted aides. He officially joined Suvendu’s team in 2019 and later handled his election campaign in Bhabanipur — the same seat where Suvendu defeated Mamata Banerjee by around 15,000 votes.

Those who knew him describe Chandranath as calm and low-profile, someone who stayed away from the limelight despite years of close association with a high-profile leader.

Investigations remain ongoing. Police have not ruled out political motives.

Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead late Wednesday night on National Highway 12 near Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district. Police said the attackers had been tracking his movements for at least a week before intercepting his vehicle and firing at close range.

The incident occurred around 11:30 pm when Rath was travelling in a Scorpio towards Siliguri. Near the Doharia area on Jessore Road, bike-borne assailants surrounded the vehicle and opened fire. The driver and two others were also injured.

Eight to fifteen rounds

Initial reports suggested four rounds were fired. But police later revised the count to 8-10 rounds. Hospital sources, however, told reporters that post-mortem examination suggested up to 15-16 bullet injuries. A three-member medical team led by Dr Kallol Ray has been constituted for the autopsy.

Rath sustained gunshot wounds to his chest and head. He was declared brought dead at a nearby hospital.

Movement tracked for a week

Police analysis of CCTV footage from key roads revealed the attackers had monitored Rath’s daily routine meticulously — the routes he took, the vehicle he used, and even the seat he occupied inside the car.

“The assailants knew exactly when and where to intercept him,” an official familiar with the probe said.

Kolkata Police have so far collected footage from eight CCTV cameras. State DGP Siddhinath Gupta is personally reviewing the visuals. A Special Investigation Team is being formed.

Political fallout

BJP workers staged a blockade on NH-12 overnight, demanding an encounter of the attackers. Party spokesperson Keya Ghosh appealed for calm but alleged that back-office BJP workers were being deliberately targeted. “The BJP envisions a government of change, not revenge,” she said.

BJP leader Rakesh Singh went further, demanding the arrest of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party leader Abhishek Banerjee. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata later today.

TMC demands court-monitored CBI probe

In an unexpected move, the Trinamool Congress condemned the killing and demanded a CBI inquiry under court supervision. “We demand strict action. The killing of other BJP and TMC workers should also be investigated,” the party said in a statement.

Mother alleges political motive

Hasirani Rath, the victim’s mother, demanded life imprisonment for the killers. “I do not want them hanged, I want life imprisonment,” she said, alleging her son was targeted for political reasons linked to Adhikari’s electoral victory over Banerjee.

Separate shooting same night

About an hour after Rath’s killing, a BJP worker named Rohit Roy was shot and critically injured in Basirhat district. Over the last two days, at least five political workers — two from the BJP and three from the TMC — have reportedly been killed in the state.

A special session of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly has been called for May 25.

A video from West Bengal is making the rounds online—it shows BJP supporters stepping up and doing something thoughtful during their election celebrations. Basically, as they marched through a crowded street, blasting music and shouting slogans, a Muslim funeral procession needed to pass. The organizers didn’t hesitate. They cut the music and cleared the way for the cortege. People nearby said the scene really highlighted Bengal’s centuries-old mix of cultures, what’s often called "Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb."

One local—who watched it happen—said, “Politics matters, but honoring the departed comes first.” Honestly, this gesture stood out, especially with all the tension swirling around after the heated state elections. Moments like this, showing basic respect and harmony, rarely make headlines when the political drama takes center stage. But they speak volumes about what actually happens on the ground.

In a fiery address ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has escalated his attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of enabling unchecked infiltration across the state's porous borders. Labeling it a "national security threat" rather than a mere local issue, Shah's remarks come at a time when political tensions are boiling over, with the BJP positioning itself as the sole guardian of Bengal's sovereignty and cultural heritage.

Shah's Scathing Critique of TMC Rule

During a press conference in Kolkata on Tuesday, Shah painted a grim picture of the 15-year TMC Government reign, claiming it has stalled development and fostered fear among residents. "Bengal's progress is dead under TMC's syndicate raj," he declared, pointing to stalled central schemes meant to eradicate poverty. With the Modi government's welfare initiatives hitting roadblocks in the state, Shah urged voters to back BJP for a "Bangla Gaurav" revival.

The timing couldn't be more critical. As India grapples with border security amid global migration pressures, Shah's visit underscores the BJP's strategy to rally nationalist sentiments in Bengal, where infiltration has long been a flashpoint. Experts like political analyst Dr. Rajat Roy note, "This narrative taps into rising anxieties post-2024 Lok Sabha polls, where BJP's vote share surged to 39% from 17% in 2014. It's a calculated move to consolidate Hindu and Matua votes."

Infiltration: From State Woe to National Crisis

At the heart of Shah's broadside is Amit Shah Bengal Infiltration – a persistent issue he says Mamata Banerjee "cannot stop." He revealed writing seven letters to the CM for land to build border fencing, yet progress lags behind states like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. "Why is infrastructure stalled only here?" Shah questioned, highlighting three failed visits by the Union Home Secretary.

- Security Implications: Illegal entries threaten demographics and resources, per Shah. "Only BJP can seal borders so tight, not even birds cross."

- Electoral Stakes: The 2026 Bengal Elections hinge on this, with Shah predicting a "landslide victory" to expel infiltrators.

- Cultural Erosion: Unchecked flows risk diluting Bengal's legacy of Vivekananda and Tagore, he warned.

This isn't just rhetoric; it's a call to action. Voters in border districts like Malda and Murshidabad report heightened community vigilantism, signaling grassroots mobilization against perceived appeasement politics.

Attacks on Corruption, Women's Safety, and Administration

Shah didn't hold back on other fronts. He flagged TMC's "extreme appeasement" as irreversible damage, accused the regime of corruption and administrative paralysis, and slammed violations in appointing key officials like the Chief Secretary. On women's safety – a hot-button issue – he cited horrors at RG Kar Hospital, Sandeshkhali, and beyond, criticizing advice for women to avoid nights out post-7 PM.

For the Matua Community, long awaiting citizenship clarity, Shah offered reassurance: "Refugees in Bengal are Indians; BJP guarantees it." This outreach could sway a pivotal bloc in the upcoming polls.

Why This Matters Now: A Crossroads for Bengal

As factional rifts simmer within BJP and center-state frictions peak, Shah's three-day tour – starting with an organizational meet at Salt Lake – signals all-out war for 2026. With vote shares flipping dramatically, Bengal stands at a crossroads: continued TMC "syndicate rule" or BJP's promised nationalist reset?

Practical takeaway for readers: Monitor border policy debates; engage in voter forums to demand transparency. As Dr. Roy advises, "Informed citizens can tip the scales – this election is about identity, not just seats."

In conclusion, Amit Shah Bengal Infiltration has thrust national security into Bengal's electoral spotlight. Whether BJP delivers on its vows remains to be seen, but one thing's clear: the battle for Bengal's soul is fiercer than ever.