Even 72 hours after the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the assailants remain on the run as police have not made any arrests. Investigators are facing challenges in tracking the attackers’ escape route due to non-functional CCTV cameras along the route adjacent to Doharia-Mathpara in Madhyamgram.
The fatal shooting occurred on Wednesday night in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district. The assailants intercepted Rath’s car on the road and opened fire before fleeing on motorbikes towards Peyara Bagan. However, the lack of effective CCTV coverage at crucial locations has hindered the investigation into the incident.
Police have discovered that many CCTV cameras in the area have been out of order for an extended period, with some improperly positioned on light poles. This has resulted in a lack of clear visuals of the attackers’ movements. Additionally, CCTV cameras at nearby shops did not provide any leads as most establishments were closed during the attack.
Investigators suspect that the assailants strategically chose the cover of darkness to evade clear identification, ensuring that their faces and number plates would not be captured as they fled on bikes. Furthermore, a red car seen following Rath’s vehicle from Birati intersection to Jessore Road has raised suspicions, leading to an intensive search to locate it.
A special investigation team has been assembled to delve into the case, which authorities believe was meticulously planned and executed.
