CBI nabs third accused in Chandranath Rath murder case from UP

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested another accused in the murder case of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to Chief Minister. The incident happened when Suvendu was CM-elect.

The latest arrest was made in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, taking the investigation a step further in one of the state’s most sensitive criminal cases.

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The arrested individual has been identified as Golu Singh. According to sources, he is the third accused to be apprehended in connection with the murder conspiracy. The CBI has secured a 48-hour transit remand and is bringing him to Kolkata for further interrogation. Investigators believe that questioning Golu Singh could provide crucial leads regarding the planning and execution of the crime.

Preliminary findings reportedly indicated his involvement in the case, following which the agency moved to arrest him from Ballia. The arrest comes weeks after the CBI apprehended Rajkumar Singh, a resident of Ballia, from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. Following Rajkumar’s arrest, the agency began scrutinising his network of associates and contacts to identify others allegedly linked to the murder plot.

The case witnessed a fresh turn on Thursday morning when Jnanendra Singh Monu, described as a close associate of Rajkumar Singh, surrendered before a Ballia court in connection with an old case registered under the Gangsters Act. Shortly after his surrender, the CBI arrested Golu Singh, who is also believed to be closely connected to Rajkumar. Officials said Golu Singh would be extensively questioned in Kolkata to ascertain his precise role in the conspiracy, the chain of communication among the accused, and any possible links to other individuals involved in the crime.

Earlier, on 21 May, the CBI had arrested Naveen Kumar Singh from the Fefna area of Ballia. During the course of the investigation, joint teams of the CBI and local police also arrested several other accused, including alleged shooter Raj Singh alias Chandan, from locations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar’s Buxar district.