In a significant breakthrough, West Bengal Police have apprehended three more individuals in connection with the brutal murder of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister’s aide. The arrests, made in Buxar and Ayodhya, mark a critical step in the ongoing investigation into the high-profile assassination that occurred on the night of May 6 in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas. Authorities credit a crucial digital payment made at a toll plaza for providing the vital clue that led them to the suspects, highlighting the evolving tactics in modern criminal investigations.

What Happened?

Chandranath Rath was tragically killed on May 6 in the Madhyamgram area of North 24 Parganas. The assailants ambushed him, blocking his vehicle before opening fire. The precision and ruthlessness of the attack immediately suggested a professional operation. Investigators quickly initiated a wide-ranging probe, sifting through various leads. A pivotal breakthrough came when police meticulously examined digital transactions at nearby toll plazas. They discovered that one of the vehicles involved in the murder had made a UPI payment at the Bali Toll Plaza just before the incident. This digital footprint proved instrumental in tracking down the perpetrators.

Following this digital clue, police first apprehended Vishal Srivastava from Buxar, who is suspected of providing shelter and assistance to the other accused after the crime. Vishal Srivastava reportedly has a history of legal troubles. Building on this lead, West Bengal Police recently arrested Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya from Buxar, near PC College. Simultaneously, Raj Singh, a resident of Ballia, was arrested from Ayodhya. These three individuals were presented before a court in North 24 Parganas and subsequently remanded to 13-day police custody for further interrogation. Mayank Mishra and Vicky Maurya are accused of transporting the vehicle used in the murder from Jharkhand to Bengal. Police sources indicate that at least eight individuals were involved in planning and executing the assassination, suggesting a complex and well-coordinated conspiracy.

The investigation revealed that the attackers had conducted reconnaissance before targeting Rath. The vehicle used to block Rath's path, an SUV, was the same one driven by Mayank and Vicky. After the attack, the assailants abandoned a silver car and fled in a red car and on a motorcycle. Adding to the complexity and seriousness of the crime, the weapon used was identified as an Austrian-made Glock 47X pistol. This sophisticated firearm is rarely seen in criminal cases in India, raising serious questions about its procurement and potential international connections. The perpetrators went to great lengths to cover their tracks, changing number plates and grinding off chassis numbers, indicating a highly professional gang.

Key Highlights

Chandranath Rath, PA to a West Bengal CM aide, was brutally murdered on the night of May 6 in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas.
West Bengal Police have arrested three more suspects: Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya from Buxar, and Raj Singh from Ayodhya.
The investigation was significantly aided by a crucial UPI payment made at a toll plaza by one of the assailants.
Mayank Mishra and Vicky Maurya are accused of transporting the murder vehicle from Jharkhand to West Bengal.
A sophisticated Austrian-made Glock 47X pistol, rarely found in India, was used in the assassination.
Investigators believe at least eight individuals were involved in the elaborate planning and execution of the murder.
Vishal Srivastava, arrested earlier, is suspected of sheltering some of the accused after the crime.

Why Does This Matter?

The murder of a personal assistant to a chief minister's aide is a deeply concerning incident that impacts public confidence in law and order. Such a high-profile case underscores the challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with organized crime and targeted assassinations. The revelation that a professional gang meticulously planned the attack, conducting reconnaissance, altering vehicle details, and even using a rare, advanced foreign weapon like the Glock 47X pistol, highlights a disturbing level of sophistication among criminals. This raises crucial questions about the availability of such weaponry in India and the potential for wider, possibly international, networks involved in serious crimes.

Moreover, this case showcases the increasing importance of digital forensics in modern policing. The crucial role played by a simple UPI transaction at a toll plaza in unraveling the plot demonstrates how even seemingly minor digital footprints can lead investigators to complex criminal networks. For the common person, this means that while criminals may employ advanced tactics, law enforcement also possesses sophisticated tools to track them. The ongoing investigation, particularly the focus on potential international links due to the weapon used, is vital not only for delivering justice in this specific case but also for understanding and dismantling larger criminal operations that might threaten public safety and national security.