CBI searches Delhi locations as Chandranath Rath murder investigation deepens

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday carried out searches at multiple locations in Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar area as investigators intensified efforts to trace suspects linked to the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

The searches come amid expanding leads in the high-profile killing that took place days after the West Bengal Assembly election results. Investigators are now piecing together the movement of vehicles, the role of alleged intermediaries, and the larger conspiracy behind the attack that left Rath dead and his driver critically injured.

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According to officials, the operation was conducted jointly by the CBI and personnel from the Delhi Police Special Cell. Raids were carried out at two houses in the locality based on inputs related to a person suspected to have links with the case.

However, the suspect was not found during the searches. Officials later served a notice to the suspect’s father, directing him to cooperate with the investigation and ensure the accused appears before the agency.

Jharkhand vehicle trail under scanner

Investigators have also traced the four-wheeler allegedly used in the murder to neighbouring Jharkhand. Officials said the vehicle’s movement and ownership details are being examined closely as part of the ongoing probe.

Sources told IANS that one of the arrested accused, identified as Mayank Raj Mishra, allegedly confessed during questioning that he had been assigned the task of transporting the vehicle from Jharkhand to Barasat in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

As per the alleged confession, Mishra drove the vehicle to an abandoned spot near the Barasat rail gate, where the original number plate was replaced with a fake one. Officials said the original registration belonged to a vehicle registered with the Siliguri Regional Transport Office in Darjeeling district.

Investigators further claimed that Mishra admitted to receiving Rs 1 lakh for delivering the vehicle. After dropping off the car, he allegedly travelled to Howrah station and boarded a train to Buxar, where he was later arrested.

How Chandranath Rath was attacked

Rath was shot dead on the night of May 6, just two days after the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results.

According to the preliminary investigation, Rath was returning home from a party programme when his vehicle was intercepted at a crossing in Madhyamgram by the four-wheeler that had allegedly been brought from Jharkhand.

Officials suspect that two motorcycles had been tailing Rath’s vehicle for some distance before the attack. Once the car was forced to stop, one of the assailants allegedly opened fire from close range, firing around ten rounds.

Rath died at the scene, while his driver, Buddhadeb Bera, sustained serious injuries. Officials said Bera is now recovering.

The CBI is continuing to investigate the identities and roles of all those allegedly involved in the conspiracy.