Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Adhikari Alleges ‘Bhaipo Gang’ Behind Chandranath Rath Murder
Chandranath Rath, a former aide of 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 had supported him.
He alleged that contract killers were paid ₹2 crore.
He also blamed a group he called the “Bhaipo gang,” a term associated in the reports with Abhishek Banerjee and his associates.
Adhikari said call recordings from Diamond Harbour may be important to the investigation.
The CBI is investigating the case and has filed a chargesheet.
Reports disagree about whether seven or 11 suspects have been arrested.
Rath’s mother is contesting the Nandigram by-election for the BJP.
Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the “Bhaipo gang,” an apparent reference to Abhishek Banerjee’s associates, arranged Chandranath Rath’s murder.
Adhikari claimed ₹2 crore was paid to shooters and contract killers, citing call recordings linked to Diamond Harbour.
Rath was shot by motorcycle-borne attackers near Madhyamgram on May 6, two days after West Bengal Assembly election results were announced.
The CBI has taken over the investigation and filed a chargesheet, but reports differ on whether seven or 11 people were arrested.
Rath’s mother, Hasirani Rath, filed her BJP nomination for the October 6 Nandigram Assembly by-election.
- Who
- Chandranath Rath was killed; Suvendu Adhikari made the allegations; Rath’s mother Hasirani Rath is the BJP candidate in Nandigram.
- What
- Adhikari alleged that the “Bhaipo gang” arranged Rath’s murder and paid ₹2 crore to contract killers.
- When
- Rath was killed on May 6, two days after the Assembly election results; the allegations were made on Tuesday during the by-election campaign.
- Where
- Rath was shot near Madhyamgram in West Bengal; Adhikari made the allegations in Haldia and Nandigram-related campaign events.
- Why
- Adhikari claimed Rath was killed because he had supported him while he was the Leader of the Opposition.
Adhikari’s Allegations
Trinamool Congress Response
Who was behind the killing?
Adhikari’s Allegations
Adhikari alleged that the “Bhaipo gang,” understood in the reports as associates of Abhishek Banerjee, was behind Rath’s murder.
Trinamool Congress Response
The Trinamool Congress demanded proof and questioned why the arrests reported by investigative agencies had not established Adhikari’s allegation.
Evidence for the claim
Adhikari’s Allegations
Adhikari said he had heard multiple call recordings from Diamond Harbour and claimed investigators had traced money allegedly sent to the shooters.
Trinamool Congress Response
The reports do not establish that the alleged political link has been proven in court; the case remains under investigation and is sub judice.
Motive
Adhikari’s Allegations
Adhikari said Rath was killed because he had supported the Leader of the Opposition.
Trinamool Congress Response
The Trinamool Congress pointed to its statement condemning the murder and calling for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted, without accepting Adhikari’s stated motive.
- Victim
- Chandranath Rath, Adhikari’s former personal assistant; one report described him as a retired Indian Air Force serviceman.
- Murder location
- Near Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
- Alleged payment
- ₹2 crore, which Adhikari said was paid to shooters and contract killers.
- Alleged evidence
- Adhikari cited call recordings involving people from Diamond Harbour and said investigators had traced a money courier.
- Investigation
- The Central Bureau of Investigation took over the case and filed a chargesheet.
- Arrest discrepancy
- Reports variously said seven people or 11 people had been arrested; the report citing 11 also named siblings Sagar and Sahib Sonkar.
- By-election
- Hasirani Rath filed her BJP nomination for the October 6 Nandigram Assembly by-election.
Sources
‘Bhaipo gang paid Rs 2 crore to contract killers’: Suvendu says Abhishek Banerjee behind Chandranath Rath murder
'Nephew-gang' was behind the murder of Chandranath Rath: Bengal CM
CM claims 'Bhaipo gang' behind aide murder, cites call records on Chandranath Rath
