Archive · 31 Jul 2026
CBI arrests brothers linked to murder of Suvendu Adhikari’s aide
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested two brothers, Sagar and Sahib Sonkar, on July 31, 2026.
They were accused of planning to kill Chandranath Rath, who helped West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Rath was shot dead on May 6, 2026, by four motorcycle riders near Madhyamgram.
The brothers had talked a lot with a rival political party and had worked for a party member before joining the BJP.
The CBI also caught six shooters and other helpers who carried out the attack.
The case shows how politics and crime can mix, and the brothers will now face a special court in Kolkata.
CBI arrested brothers Sagar Sonkar and Sahib Sonkar on 31 July 2026 for plotting to kill Chandranath Rath, aide to West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari.
Rath was shot dead on 6 May 2026 near Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, by four motorcycle‑borne assailants.
Investigations revealed Sagar Sonkar kept regular landline calls with a rival party office and had previously worked for an MLA of that party before joining the BJP.
CBI has arrested six shooters (Monu Singh, Raj Singh, Golu Singh, Mayank Raj Mishra, Vickey Maurya, Naveen Kumar Singh) and three middlemen (Vinay Rai, Sanjay Rai, Vikas Mishra); one accused remains absconding.
The murder plot was hatched in December 2025, involved a contract worth several crores, and the CBI formed a seven‑member special investigation team to present the brothers before a special court in Kolkata.
- Who
- CBI, Sagar Sonkar, Sahib Sonkar, Chandranath Rath, Suvendu Adhikari
- What
- Arrest of conspirators in the murder plot against Chandranath Rath
- When
- Arrests on 31 July 2026; murder on 6 May 2026
- Where
- West Bengal, North 24 Parganas district, Madhyamgram, Barasat
- Why
- To eliminate a key aide of West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari amid political rivalry
- Arrested suspects
- Sagar Sonkar and Sahib Sonkar
- Victim
- Chandranath Rath
- Date of murder
- 6 May 2026
- Location of murder
- Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas
- Investigating agency
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Number of shooters arrested
- 6
- Contract value
- several crores
- Special court
- Kolkata
Sources
CBI arrests 2 accused for giving contract to kill Suvendu Adhikari’s aide Chandranath Rath: Sources
CBI arrests two accused for giving contract to kill Suvendu Adhikari's aide Chandranath Rath - Telegraph India
Murder of Suvendu Adhikari’s aide: CBI arrests 2 suspects, allegedly linked to rival political party
Suvendu aide murder: CBI arrests two brothers, probes rival party link