5 days ago
CBI Chargesheets 12 in Alleged Plot to Kill Adhikari Aide
Chandranath Rath, an aide to Suvendu Adhikari, was shot while riding in his car.
The attack happened in Madhyamgram on May 6.
Another person in the car, Buddhadeb Bera, was hurt.
The CBI says the killing may have been planned for about six months.
Investigators allege that Rath’s assistant, Sagar Sonkar, helped organize the plan.
They say several people arranged vehicles, phones, SIM cards and places to stay.
The CBI used cameras, road-toll records and phone information to reconstruct what happened.
It says two alleged shooters attacked Rath after another vehicle blocked his car.
The CBI has charged 12 people, although one named suspect has not been arrested.
The CBI filed a chargesheet against 12 people over Chandranath Rath’s killing.
Rath was shot in his vehicle in Madhyamgram on May 6; Buddhadeb Bera was injured.
Investigators allege Rath’s assistant Sagar Sonkar organized a six-month conspiracy against him.
The probe used CCTV, toll records, call data, phones, WhatsApp and iCloud evidence.
Eleven named suspects have been arrested, while Krishna Kumar Singh remains unapprehended.
- Who
- The CBI has charged 12 people, allegedly led by Rath’s assistant Sagar Sonkar, in the killing of Chandranath Rath; Buddhadeb Bera was also attacked.
- What
- Rath was shot inside his vehicle, and the CBI alleges the attack was the result of a six-month conspiracy.
- Where
- The shooting occurred in Madhyamgram, Kolkata; investigators traced alleged movements through Dhanbad, Kolkata, Ballia, Ghazipur and other locations.
- When
- The shooting occurred around 10 p.m. on May 6; the chargesheet was filed on August 7.
- Why
- The CBI alleges Sagar Sonkar resented Rath and believed removing him would help him get closer to Suvendu Adhikari.
CBI Allegations
Families’ Denial
Sagar Sonkar’s alleged role
CBI Allegations
The CBI alleges Sagar Sonkar organized the conspiracy, recruited contacts and helped arrange vehicles, accommodation, communications and reconnaissance.
Families’ Denial
The parents of Sagar and Saheb Sonkar said they did not believe the police charges and emphasized that the brothers worked closely with Rath and Adhikari.
Motive for the killing
CBI Allegations
Investigators allege Sagar resented Rath, viewed himself as Rath’s equal and believed Rath’s removal would bring him closer to Adhikari.
Families’ Denial
The families disputed the allegations but, according to the report, did not provide an alternative account of the killing.
Key facts
- Victim
- Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari
- Attack date
- May 6, around 10 p.m.
- Attack location
- Madhyamgram, Kolkata
- Injured person
- Rath’s associate Buddhadeb Bera
- Chargesheet
- Filed by the CBI before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Barasat on August 7
- Accused named
- 12 people; 11 have been apprehended, according to the report
- Witnesses
- 585 people are listed as witnesses
- Key evidence
- CCTV footage, road-toll and FASTag records, call-detail records, multiple phones and an iCloud photo
Quotes
A relative of Sagar and Saheb Sonkar
A relative who described the brothers’ work for Chandranath Rath
“Sagar was like Chandranath’s shadow. He looked after the financial transactions, even handled payments. Later, he took Saheb along and he too was employed by Chandranath.”
indianexpress.com
The CBI probe
The investigative reconstruction recorded in the CBI probe
“Krishna Kumar Singh, Gyanendra Singh and Sanjay Rai left for Kolkata in a Swift Car, whereas Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya, Golu Singh and Raj Kumar Singh left in Nissan Micra”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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