CBI Takes Over Suvendu Adhikari PA Murder Case, Forms 7-Member SIT To Probe Chandranath Rath Killing

Published: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 13:57 [IST]

The investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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The CBI is investigating the murder of Chandranath Rath, aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, following the arrest of three suspects, including Vishal Srivastava, by West Bengal Police for the May 6 incident in North 24 Parganas.

The case was earlier being investigated by the West Bengal Police. However, the probe was later transferred to the CBI following a recommendation by the West Bengal government.

Officials said the central agency is expected to formally begin the investigation after the Department of Personnel and Training issues the required notification.

CBI Forms Special Investigation Team

Soon after receiving the case, the CBI constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to handle the murder investigation. According to officials, the SIT will be headed by DIG-rank officer Pankaj Kumar Singh from the Delhi CBI unit.

The investigation team will function under the supervision of the Joint Director of the Kolkata CBI unit. The seven-member SIT includes officers from multiple CBI units across the country.

Members Of The CBI SIT

The members of the team are:

Pankaj Kumar Singh, DIG and Head of Branch, CBI Delhi (Team Leader)
Subhaeh Chandra Kundu, SP, CBI Delhi
Anil Kumar Yadav, SP, CBI Delhi
Vikash Pathak, DSP, CBI Dhanbad
Amit Kumar, DSP, CBI Patna
Kuldeep, DSP, CBI Ranchi
Vivek Srivastava, Inspector, CBI Lucknow

The team is expected to examine all evidence collected so far by the West Bengal Police SIT.

Three Accused Already Arrested

The transfer of the case comes days after the West Bengal Police arrested three individuals in connection with the murder.

The accused were arrested by the state police SIT during operations conducted in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The arrested men were later brought to West Bengal on transit remand and produced before a court in North 24 Parganas district.

The court remanded all three accused to 13 days of police custody.

Who Are The Arrested Accused?

According to investigators, one of the arrested accused has been identified as Vishal Srivastava, a resident of Pandiyapatti village in Bihar's Buxar district.

The two other accused are reportedly from Uttar Pradesh.
Police officials suspect that one of the accused may be a professional sharpshooter involved in carrying out the attack.

Investigators said the arrests were made based on technical surveillance, digital tracking and intelligence inputs gathered during the investigation.

How The Attack Happened

Chandranath Rath was shot dead on the night of May 6 in the northern outskirts of Kolkata. The incident took place in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram's Doltala locality in North 24 Parganas district.

According to police officials, Rath was travelling in a car when motorcycle-borne attackers allegedly followed and intercepted the vehicle.

The assailants reportedly fired at Rath from close range through the rolled-up car window before fleeing the scene.

Rath was seated in the front passenger seat next to the driver at the time of the attack.

Driver Also Injured In Shooting

Rath's driver also suffered bullet injuries during the attack.
He was immediately shifted to a hospital in Kolkata, where he continues to receive treatment.

Officials earlier described his condition as critical.

Political Attention Around The Case

The murder of Suvendu Adhikari's close aide triggered major political attention in West Bengal.

Given Rath's position as executive assistant to the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, the case quickly became politically sensitive.
The transfer of the investigation to the CBI is now expected to intensify the probe further.