Car chase, then execution-style hit: Shocking details emerge in murder of Chandranath Rath

An already volatile political atmosphere in West Bengal has intensified after the late-night killing of Chandranath Rath triggered widespread tension, heavy police deployment and renewed fears of post-election violence across Kolkata and surrounding districts.

The murder comes just days after the BJP’s sweeping victory in the state Assembly elections, where the party secured 207 of 294 seats, ending the dominance of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress in one of Bengal’s most fiercely contested elections.

Rath, 41, a former Indian Air Force employee and trusted aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was killed in what investigators believe was a meticulously planned execution-style attack.

Precision attack near Madhyamgram

According to investigators, motorcycle-borne assailants tailed Rath’s white Scorpio SUV before intercepting it near Doharia in Madhyamgram late Wednesday night.

The attackers opened fire while Rath remained seated inside the vehicle.

His driver was also injured and initially rushed to a local hospital before being shifted to Kolkata for advanced treatment.

Doctors told investigators Rath suffered gunshot wounds to the right abdomen and left chest, with bullets piercing his heart.

Police believe he was the sole intended target.

“The murder appears to have been carried out by professionals,” a senior police officer said, adding that the shooters fired with remarkable precision.

“The shots were perfectly aimed. Almost none struck the SUV’s body or windshield. Rath was directly hit in vital organs.”

Investigators say attackers fired from both sides of the vehicle.

Eyewitness account points to planned ambush

An eyewitness described the shooting as “pre-planned” and said the assailant fired at point-blank range after Rath’s SUV was forced to slow down.

“The shooter appeared highly trained and fled immediately,” the witness told ANI.

The incident reportedly occurred between 10.30 pm and 11 pm, just a few hundred metres from a hospital where locals rushed the victims moments later.

Tampered number plate deepens mystery

Police have seized a suspicious hatchback believed to have been used in the operation.

According to investigators, the vehicle was allegedly used to block Rath’s SUV near a traffic signal before the shooters opened fire and escaped.

West Bengal DGP Siddhinath Gupta confirmed that the seized car carried a tampered registration plate.

Investigators later traced the registration number to another vehicle belonging to a Siliguri resident, who told police his own car was parked safely nearly 557 km away.

Police suspect the assassination was planned over several days, with prior surveillance conducted before the attack.

Adhikari urges restraint

As BJP supporters gathered outside the hospital and raised slogans against the TMC, Adhikari appealed for calm.

“We are not drawing conclusions at this moment, though it is a fact that TMC has used terror over the years,” he said.

He urged supporters not to retaliate and said the party would wait for the investigation to unfold.

“Police have found that the murder was planned over the last three or four days. A recce was done. Our party will stand by the victim’s family.”

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul, however, alleged a political motive and linked the killing to Mamata Banerjee’s electoral defeat.

TMC seeks CBI probe

The TMC condemned Rath’s killing and demanded a court-monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

In a statement, the party also alleged that several of its own workers had been killed in recent post-poll clashes.

“We strongly condemn this brutal murder and demand the strongest possible action, including a court-monitored CBI probe,” the party said.

Bengal on edge

Police deployment has been significantly increased across Kolkata and suburban districts, with barricades set up near state borders and intensified patrolling underway.

Authorities are also monitoring social media posts and videos related to the murder amid fears they could inflame tensions further.

More than 1,500 people have already been arrested since the election results were declared earlier this week, with reports of arson and political violence surfacing from multiple parts of the state.

Rath’s killing has now added another flashpoint to an already fragile political transition in Bengal.