Archive · 29 Sep 2026
CID, STF Join Probe Into BJP Leader’s Bolpur Killing
Chandan Bhalla, a local Bharatiya Janata Party worker, was killed in Bolpur, West Bengal.
Police say two people on a motorcycle shot him from close range and escaped.
The shooting happened on Sunday evening or night, according to different reports.
Special police teams called the Criminal Investigation Department and Special Task Force are helping local officers.
Investigators collected blood, tyre marks, footprints and other evidence.
They are also checking phone records, tower locations, eyewitness statements and available camera footage.
Bhalla’s family believes politics may have caused the killing, but police are also examining land deals and other possible motives.
No one had been arrested or detained in the reports.
Chandan Bhalla, a local Bharatiya Janata Party booth leader, was shot dead in Bolpur on Sunday evening or night.
Police said two motorcycle-borne attackers fired at Bhalla at close range before fleeing.
The Criminal Investigation Department and West Bengal Special Task Force joined Birbhum police in the investigation on Monday.
Investigators are examining forensic evidence, witness accounts, mobile records, tower data, land transactions and the weapon’s possible source.
Bhalla’s family alleges a political motive, while police are also probing land disputes and other possibilities; no suspect had been detained.
- Who
- Chandan Bhalla, a local Bharatiya Janata Party booth leader, was killed; Birbhum police, the Criminal Investigation Department and the West Bengal Special Task Force are investigating.
- What
- Bhalla was shot at close range by two motorcycle-borne attackers who then fled.
- When
- The killing occurred on Sunday evening or night; the investigation was expanded on Monday.
- Where
- The attack took place in the Millpara area of Trishulpatty, within Bolpur Municipality’s Ward 12 in Birbhum, West Bengal.
- Why
- The motive has not been established. Police are examining political rivalry, land-related disputes, the firearm’s source and possible links to attackers from outside the area.
Family’s Political-Motive Allegation
Police’s Unresolved Investigation
Reason for the killing
Family’s Political-Motive Allegation
Bhalla’s wife and other family members allege that the murder was politically motivated; his wife specifically suspected involvement by the Trinamool Congress and cited earlier political violence against the family.
Police’s Unresolved Investigation
Police have not confirmed a political motive and are also examining land transactions, factional conflict and other possible explanations.
Nature of the attack
Family’s Political-Motive Allegation
An eyewitness described two attackers on a motorcycle shooting Bhalla at point-blank range, and police said the killing appeared highly planned.
Police’s Unresolved Investigation
Investigators are still verifying the attackers’ identities, movements, possible outside links and the source of the firearm; no suspects had been detained.
Surveillance evidence
Family’s Political-Motive Allegation
One report said there were no CCTV cameras near the crime scene, increasing reliance on eyewitness and digital evidence.
Police’s Unresolved Investigation
Another report said police had collected and were examining CCTV footage from the area, alongside phone records and tower-location data.
- Victim
- Chandan Bhalla, described in different reports as 42, 45 or 47, and a Bharatiya Janata Party booth leader.
- Political post
- Reports variously identify Bhalla as the booth president for booth 201 in Bolpur town, booth 202 in Ward 11, or a booth in Ward 12.
- Attack
- Two motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly shot Bhalla from close range before escaping.
- Investigating agencies
- Birbhum police were joined by the Criminal Investigation Department and West Bengal Special Task Force.
- Evidence
- Investigators examined blood, tyre marks, footprints, eyewitness accounts, mobile records, tower data and CCTV footage where available.
- Forensic findings
- The police superintendent said Bhalla suffered a single fatal bullet wound to the head.
- Arrests
- No suspect had been arrested or detained in the reports, although police were examining several people.
- Possible motives
- The investigation includes political rivalry, factional conflict, land transactions and the possible source of the firearm.
