Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, on the night of May 6, 2026. Rath, a long-time associate of Adhikari, was attacked at point-blank range, sustaining three gunshot wounds, and died shortly after being hospitalized.

The assailants, believed to be on a motorcycle, opened fire while Rath was traveling in a four-wheeler. Police have not yet identified the shooters. The killing comes amid a surge in post-poll violence following the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, with at least four deaths reported across the state, including a BJP worker in New Town and a Trinamool Congress worker in Birbhum.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directed West Bengal’s Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and Central Armed Police Forces on May 6 to enforce zero tolerance for post-poll violence and to arrest those responsible immediately. The Trinamool Congress condemned Rath’s killing and called for a court-monitored CBI investigation, citing the deaths of three of its workers in recent days. The West Bengal BJP leadership, including Adhikari and State president Samik Bhattacharya, has urged party supporters to refrain from violence.

Police investigations are ongoing, and authorities have increased patrols in affected areas. The Election Commission will review the law and order situation in West Bengal on Thursday, May 7, 2026.