Kolkata, 07 May (H.S.): Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has described the murder of his personal assistant Chandranath Rath as pre-meditated. Speaking to the media, Suvendu stated that Chandranath Rath was brutally killed as per a preconceived plan. He assured that his team would bear full responsibility for Rath's family and the treatment of the injured.

Suvendu indicated that political motives might be linked to this murder, though he refrained from commenting further at this stage. He has spoken with Director General of Police Siddhanath Gupta. Suvendu claimed that police have not sought any footage for proper investigation. He expressed trust in the police probe and stated that assurances have been given that the perpetrators will be apprehended soon. He appealed to party workers and supporters not to take the law into their own hands and to maintain peace.

Notably, Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant (PA) Chandranath Rath was shot dead on Wednesday night. His accompanying driver Buddadev Beda was also seriously injured in the attack.

Around 11:15 PM on Wednesday, Chandranath Rath was passing through the Madhyamgram area in his vehicle when unidentified assailants on motorcycles intercepted and stopped the car mid-road. According to eyewitnesses and police sources, the attackers immediately opened indiscriminate fire from close range.

Chandranath Rath sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, causing panic in the area. He was rushed in critical condition to the nearby Viva City Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Driver Buddadev Beda, who was also shot, remains in serious condition and has been admitted to a Kolkata hospital.

Upon receiving the news, Suvendu Adhikari, former BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, MP Arjun Singh, and several senior leaders rushed to the hospital late at night. DGP Gupta visited the crime scene and took reports from police officials. Heavy police deployment has been made in the area following the murder, with intensified searches for the assailants underway.

BJP supporters have accused the Trinamool Congress of orchestrating the attack on Rath. The Trinamool Congress has condemned the incident and demanded a CBI probe under court supervision. In a social media post, TMC stated that political violence has no place in democracy and the guilty must be swiftly brought to justice.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar