The CBI has arrested two more accused in the Chandranath Rath murder case, alleging they conspired in the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide. Investigators are also examining alleged political links, while the case remains under investigation and subject to judicial proceedings.
2 BJP Workers Arrested in Suvendu Adhikari Aide Chandranath Rath Murder Case, CBI Alleges TMC Links
The politically sensitive case has alleged links between suspects and Trinamool Congress members, investigators say. CBI arrests two more accused in murder of Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide Chandranath Rath.
The Chandranath Rath murder case saw a breakthrough with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arresting two more persons allegedly involved in the killing of Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide. The latest arrests are expected to spark political debate in West Bengal where the probe has drawn increasing attention for its alleged political links.
The newly arrested ones have been identified as Sagar Sonkar and Sahib Sonkar, who were working with Chandranath Rath before his murder, the CBI officials said. They are believed to have conspired with the gunmen who carried out the deadly attack in May this year.
The arrests were made in West Bengal, and the agency is likely to produce both accused before a special court in Kolkata and seek custodial interrogation. The case is being investigated by the CBI under various sections, including murder and criminal conspiracy charges. Sprouts News will keep you posted on official developments in the investigation.
CBI Investigation Examines Alleged Political Connections
CBI officials said preliminary findings suggest that both Sagar Sonkar and Sahib Sonkar were earlier members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) before switching over to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But the investigators have alleged that they continued to maintain contacts with some Trinamool Congress members even after changing sides.
Officials familiar with the investigation said that evidence points to Sagar Sonkar making landline calls to a rival political party’s office. Sagar Sonkar had been working with Chandranath Rath. The agency has not provided any other evidence to support this allegation, and the investigation is ongoing.
The latest arrests are likely to trigger fresh political reactions in West Bengal, although no official response from the Trinamool Congress regarding these specific allegations had been reported at the time of publication.
Chandranath Rath Was Shot Dead Near His Home in Madhyamgram
Chandranath Rath was shot dead on May 6 in Madhyamgram, near Kolkata, soon after the BJP won the West Bengal Assembly elections, defeating the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress, which has been in power since 2011.
Investigators said Rath was attacked in the night while driving home in his SUV. The inquiry heard he was about 100m from home when a car allegedly stopped in front of him, and a motorcycle pulled up alongside his car.
Officials said about 10 shots were fired through the rolled-up window of Rath’s SUV before the suspects fled the scene. Rath succumbed to his injuries soon after the shooting, despite the immediate response after the attack.
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Earlier Arrests and Expanding Investigation
The CBI had also arrested several persons in connection with the murder conspiracy before the latest breakthrough. Those arrested earlier included Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya from Bihar, and Vinay Rai, Gyanendra Singh, Navin Singh, Golu Singh and Raj Kumar Singh from Uttar Pradesh.
The case was initially probed by the West Bengal Police and later handed over to the CBI. Since taking over the probe, the central agency has been widening the scope of investigation to find out the alleged conspiracy behind the killing and identify all those involved.
The investigation is continuing, and more questioning and forensic examinations are ongoing as part of the probe, officials said.
Chandranath Rath's Association With Suvendu Adhikari
Chandranath Rath, a former Indian Air Force officer, was a long-time associate of Suvendu Adhikari, ever since the latter’s Trinamool Congress days. Rath was Adhikari’s personal assistant when he joined the BJP in 2020.
Rath was the executive assistant of Suvendu Adhikari, who became the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly after the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, and was one of his closest political associates.
As the investigation proceeds, the result of custodial interrogation and future court proceedings could shed more light on the alleged conspiracy behind Rath’s killing. The case has major political implications, and further official disclosures are expected in the weeks to come. Sprouts News will continue to report on confirmed developments as they unfold.
Editorial Note:
This article is based on publicly available FIR records, court case references, and reports published by multiple media organisations. The information is presented in the context of ongoing investigations and public interest reporting. Sprouts News does not make any judicial determination regarding the individuals mentioned and does not intend to defame any person or organisation. Any individual seeking clarification or wishing to provide an official response may contact the editorial team with verifiable documentation. The information is presented for journalistic and informational purposes.
