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Police have so far arrested three suspects from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (Img: Internet)
Kolkata: A digital toll payment made through UPI has emerged as a crucial lead in the investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Police have so far arrested three suspects from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh while probing what investigators describe as a highly coordinated interstate conspiracy.
Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel who later served as Adhikari’s personal assistant, was shot dead near his residence in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district on May 6.
Chandranath Rath Case: Police arrests 3 shooters from UP & Bihar in murder of Suvendu Adhikari’s PA
According to investigators, the breakthrough came after police traced a digital payment made at the Bally toll plaza on Nivedita Setu shortly before the murder.
Officials said one of the suspects allegedly used UPI to pay the toll instead of cash or FASTag, allowing investigators to identify a mobile number linked to the accused.
Using technical surveillance, CCTV footage and mobile tracking, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) reportedly tracked the suspects across multiple states, including West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha.
Police confirmed that three suspects have been detained during the operation. The arrested accused include Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya from Buxar in Bihar, along with Raj Singh from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
Investigators suspect that one of the arrested men may have acted as the sharpshooter during the attack. Police sources claimed the accused used fake number plates and carefully planned escape routes to avoid detection.
Investigators believe Rath’s SUV was intercepted near Madhyamgram by attackers travelling in a hatchback and motorcycles. The assailants allegedly opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene.
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Police suspect the attackers conducted reconnaissance for several days before executing the operation. The SIT has already recovered a suspected getaway car and two motorcycles from areas near Kolkata airport and Barasat. Officials said all three vehicles reportedly carried fake registration plates.
Following the killing, Suvendu Adhikari described the incident as a “premeditated murder” and alleged that Rath was targeted because of his close association with him.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has demanded a court-monitored CBI investigation into the case, while state Congress leaders have also sought an independent judicial probe.
Police officials said raids are continuing in several states as efforts intensify to trace the remaining accused allegedly linked to the wider network.
