As usual, there was hustle and bustle on the streets of Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas at around 10.15 pm on 6th May, but within a few minutes this area was about to turn into a crime scene. Black Scorpio, blood stained seats and cartridges scattered on the road – if police sources are to be believed, this was not a sudden incident, but was indicating a planned ‘execution’. The killed person Chandranath Rath was a very close associate and personal assistant of BJP leader and strong contender to be the new leader of the state, Subhendu Adhikari. The initial investigation by the police clearly says that this was not a murder but an ‘operation’.

The chase started from the city, ended near home

According to the investigating agencies, Chandranath Rath’s vehicle was being tracked from Kolkata itself. In the CCTV footage, a silver colored Santro car (WB74AX2270) and a motorcycle are seen trailing his Scorpio. As soon as the car reached Dohadiya area of ​​Madhyamgram, just 100 meters away from the house, the game had started. The Santro car overtook the Scorpio and forced it to slow down. The next moment a bike without number plate came near and then the rain of bullets started.

Fired more than 10 rounds, aimed at the chest and head.

Eyewitnesses said that the attackers fired from close range. According to police, at least 10 bullets were fired. Although this number could also be higher. Chandranath Rath was hit by bullets in the chest, stomach and head. His condition became critical on the spot. The paramedics hurriedly ran to the hospital, but he had died before reaching there. On reaching the hospital, doctors declared him dead. His driver Buddhadev Beda was also injured in the firing and is currently battling between life and death in a hospital in Kolkata.

Complete planning from Reiki to escape route

Police say that the attackers first did recce of the area, understood the daily route and timing of Chandranath Rath and then made complete planning. After the incident, the bikers fled in two directions. One went towards Jessore Road and the other through the internal roads of Rajarhat. The car with which the Scorpio was stopped was abandoned at the spot. The police seized the car and conducted an investigation, which revealed that the number plate of the car was fake, while the real owner was a person from Siliguri, who had posted its pictures online to sell the car.

Glock pistol suspected to be ‘professional hit’

The forensic team has found shells, live cartridges and bullet marks from the spot. Initial investigation suspects that the attackers used modern weapons like Austrian Glock pistols. According to a senior officer, “Such weapons are not available to common criminals. This strengthens the suspicion of a professional shooter.”

Every movement captured in CCTV, but the attacker absconding

Police are now scanning the CCTV footage of Jessore Road and surrounding areas. Several teams have been formed and three local history-sheeters are being interrogated. DGP Siddh Nath Gupta said, “A suspicious vehicle has been seized. The number plate was tampered with. Several CCTV footages are being examined.” Nevertheless, the main attacker is still absconding and this is the biggest challenge of the investigation.

Entry into politics: allegations and counter-allegations intensify

This murder has also increased the political temperature. Shubhendu Adhikari called it a pre-planned murder and personal injury and appealed to the workers to maintain peace. Whereas BJP leader Arjun Singh directly alleged, “Abhishek Banerjee has conspired for this murder… He wants to give the message that despite not being in power, he is powerful.” On the other hand, Trinamool Congress rejected these allegations and said that there is no place for violence in democracy and demanded a court monitored investigation into the matter.

Big questions before investigation

This incident in Madhyamgram has raised many layered questions before the investigating agencies. The first question is whether this is just a matter of personal rivalry or is there a bigger political message hidden behind it? The way the target was tracked, the route was blocked and bullets were fired at close range, it does not look like a normal crime. Second important aspect- Were professional shooters involved in this attack? Initial indications suggest that the weapons and method of attack point to a trained network.

The biggest question – Was Chandranath Rath already being targeted? If yes, was there any security lapse? This incident does not seem like just a murder, but a well-planned operation, where everything from timing, tracking and escape was perfect. Now the challenge before the police is not only to catch the accused, but also to uncover the motive that led to this murder. Because now is the time for transfer of power, political allegations are being leveled on the party ousted from power and the one coming to power is the victim.

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