Chandranath Rath murder case: Key shooter arrested by CBI in UP’s Muzaffarnagar

AGRA: CBI and Muzaffarnagar police arrested an alleged shooter in the murder case of Chandranath Rath, executive assistant to West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, near a toll plaza in Muzaffarnagar’s Chhapar area on Monday, officials said. The accused, identified as Rajkumar Singh, a resident of Ballia district, was reportedly returning from Haridwar with his family when the joint team intercepted his vehicle.

Sources said CBI had received prior intelligence about Singh’s movement and laid a trap near the toll plaza with the help of local police. “As soon as the suspect’s vehicle reached the spot, the joint team intercepted it and detained him,” a source said, adding that Singh was questioned for several hours after his arrest.

Investigators said they expected crucial leads from Singh on the murder conspiracy and the role of other suspects allegedly linked to the case. “The accused is likely to be taken for further interrogation after transit formalities, and his questioning may help establish the larger conspiracy behind the murder,” an official said.

After the arrest, the probe agency produced Singh before a local court and obtained his transit remand. Officials said he would now be taken for further questioning as investigators intensified efforts to identify others allegedly connected to the murder plot.

Rath was shot dead in Madhyamgram on May 6, two days after the declaration of results of West Bengal Assembly polls. The attack took place on a public road at Doharia in Madhyamgram area. Police said the attackers had allegedly carried out detailed reconnaissance before targeting him.

State police had earlier arrested three persons in the case. Two accused, Mayank Raj Mishra and Vicky Maurya, were detained from Buxar in Bihar, while another accused, Raj Singh, was detained from Ballia in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Police said at least eight people were allegedly involved in the conspiracy and execution of the murder. “The role of other suspects and the chain of planning are being examined,” an official said.