The CBI has revisited Chandranath Rath’s murder spot as it probes an alleged contract killing. Investigators are examining interstate links, forged vehicles and the source of more than Rs 1 crore allegedly spent on the operation.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) suspects West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s aide Chandranath Rath’s murder was a meticulously planned contract killing involving interstate operatives, forged vehicles and over Rs 1 crore spent on weapons, logistics and sharpshooters.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of CBI, accompanied by forensic experts, on Tuesday revisited the murder spot of Rath in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district as investigators intensified efforts to crack what they suspect was a meticulously planned contract killing involving more than Rs 1 crore, police sources said.
Rath was shot dead inside his SUV on a public road in Madhyamgram on May 6, just two days after the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results. Investigators suspect the murder involved interstate criminal operatives, forged vehicle identities and substantial financial backing.
The CBI team, led by DIG Pankaj Kumar Singh, spent several hours at the crime scene examining the sequence of events and reviewing evidence collected earlier, PTI reported.
A three-member team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory collected fresh blood samples and other forensic material from the area to aid the probe. The locality remained under heavy police barricading through Tuesday, with residents and commuters passing through multiple security checks.
‘MORE THAN Rs 1 CRORE SPENT ON OPERATION’
Investigators now believe the killing was executed with extensive planning and logistics support.
According to police sources, the alleged “supari” operation may have cost more than Rs 1 crore, with money allegedly spent on weapons, reconnaissance, vehicles and hired shooters.
“One of the two firearms used in the murder is suspected to be worth over Rs 10 lakh in the illegal market,” a police officer said.
Officials said the cost of hiring sharpshooters, conducting surveillance on Rath’s movements and arranging multiple vehicles for escape pointed towards a highly coordinated conspiracy.
“Who invested such a huge amount of money and why remain the biggest questions before investigators at this stage,” a senior officer associated with the probe said.
CBI TAKES OVER PROBE FROM BENGAL POLICE
The CBI formally took over the investigation from the West Bengal Police on Monday following a request from the state government and subsequently registered an FIR in the case.
Officials said the central agency has formed a multidisciplinary SIT to conduct a comprehensive and time-bound investigation.
“All possible angles, including interstate criminal links and conspiracy, are being examined. The CBI’s special investigation team will now focus on unravelling the larger conspiracy behind the murder,” a senior official said.
The agency is currently analysing ballistic evidence and other forensic material recovered from the scene.
