5 hrs ago
Suvendu Adhikari Alleges Nephew Gang Behind Rath Murder
Chandranath Rath, who had worked with Suvendu Adhikari, was shot and killed near Madhyamgram on May 6.
The killing happened soon after West Bengal’s Assembly election results were announced.
Adhikari says Rath was targeted because he supported him.
He also claims that contract killers were paid Rs 2 crore.
Adhikari used the phrase “Bhaipo gang,” which is understood in the reports as a reference to people linked to Abhishek Banerjee.
The Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.
It has arrested and chargesheeted suspects, but the reports give different numbers.
Rath’s mother, Hasirani Rath, is now contesting a Nandigram by-election for the Bharatiya Janata Party.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari alleged that a group he called the “Bhaipo” or “nephew gang” arranged Chandranath Rath’s murder.
Adhikari claimed contract killers were paid Rs 2 crore and linked the allegation indirectly to Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee.
Rath, Adhikari’s former aide, was shot dead near Madhyamgram on May 6, shortly after the West Bengal Assembly election results.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case and filed a chargesheet, although reports differ on whether seven or 11 suspects have been arrested or chargesheeted.
Rath’s mother, Hasirani Rath, was nominated as the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for the Nandigram Assembly by-election.
- Who
- Chandranath Rath was killed; West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari made the allegations, while Rath’s mother Hasirani Rath is a BJP candidate.
- What
- Adhikari alleged that a group linked to Abhishek Banerjee arranged Rath’s murder and paid Rs 2 crore to contract killers.
- Where
- Rath was shot near Madhyamgram in West Bengal; the allegations were made during a programme supporting Hasirani Rath’s Nandigram candidacy.
- When
- Rath was killed on May 6, shortly after the Assembly election results; Adhikari made the allegations on Tuesday during the by-election campaign.
- Why
- Adhikari said Rath was targeted because he had supported him while he was the Leader of the Opposition.
Adhikari’s Allegations
Investigation Status
Who was behind the killing?
Adhikari’s Allegations
Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the “Bhaipo” or “nephew gang,” understood in the reports as associates of Abhishek Banerjee, was involved.
Investigation Status
The reports do not provide a direct response from Abhishek Banerjee or the Trinamool Congress, and the CBI investigation is still examining the case.
Evidence cited
Adhikari’s Allegations
Adhikari said he had heard call recordings and claimed investigators found phone records from Diamond Harbour and traced a money courier.
Investigation Status
The CBI has arrested and chargesheeted suspects, but the reports differ on the number involved and do not establish that the political allegation has been proven in court.
Motive
Adhikari’s Allegations
Adhikari said Rath was murdered because he supported the Leader of the Opposition.
Investigation Status
The reports describe this as Adhikari’s claim; the final motive remains part of the ongoing investigation.
Key facts
- Victim
- Chandranath Rath, Suvendu Adhikari’s former aide and, according to one report, a retired Indian Air Force serviceman.
- Date of murder
- May 6, shortly after the West Bengal Assembly election results.
- Location
- Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district.
- Alleged payment
- Rs 2 crore, according to Suvendu Adhikari.
- Investigation
- The Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case and has filed a chargesheet.
- Suspects
- Reports differ: one says seven people were arrested, while another says 11 suspects were arrested and chargesheeted.
- Political connection
- Hasirani Rath, Chandranath Rath’s mother, was nominated as the BJP candidate for the Nandigram Assembly by-election.
Quotes
Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal chief minister and BJP politician
“I have received specific information that the 'nephew-gang' was behind Chandranath's murder. Contract killers were hired at Rs 2 crore for the assassination. I have heard multiple call recordings which clearly show that the 'nephew-gang' was behind the assassination conspiracy.”
thehansindia.com
“The investigators have found several phone call records from Diamond Harbour (Abhishek Banerjee's Lok Sabha constituency) and have nabbed the courier who transported the money. The CBI is investigating all these aspects, and we will get to the bottom of this brutal murder”
rediff.com
Sources
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