Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari, the outgoing Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, was shot dead on Wednesday night in North 24 Parganas, Madhyamgram, using vehicles with fake number plates. The incident occurred when Rath was in a white SUV and was shot three times at point-blank range, sustaining severe injuries, and was declared dead after being rushed to a nearby private hospital.

The West Bengal police have formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the attack and have collected evidence from the spot, including a silver car used by the attackers, which was abandoned near the crime spot, and a motorbike used to flee the scene, both with fake number plates.

Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the attack was targeted and carried out by hired assassins who had recced the location for a week before the murder, and called for the killers to face the death penalty.

The Trinamool Congress has condemned the attack and demanded the strongest possible action, including a court-monitored CBI investigation. The BJP has also criticized the law and order situation in West Bengal, with State president Samik Bhattacharya stating that the State has become a “heaven” for criminals.

The case will be further investigated by the Special Investigation Team, and the West Bengal police will take necessary actions to prevent such incidents in the future. The court will also monitor the progress of the investigation.