The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday claimed to have laid hands on two more suspects in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, close aide to West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Suvendu Adhikari, officials reported. The CBI sleuths claimed that a possible link to a leader of a rival regional political party has surfaced during the probe.

The arrested accused have been identified as Sagar Sonkar and Sahib Sonkar, who worked with Rath earlier. As per CBI officials, the probe has revealed that Sagar allegedly maintained contact with the office of a rival regional political party through landline calls while working with Rath.

With the recent arrests, the total arrest tally in the case has risen to nine.

6 shooters, 3 middlemen already in CBI dragnet

So far, the CBI has arrested six alleged shooters in connection with the murder. They have been identified as Monu Singh, Raj Singh, Golu Singh, Mayank Raj Mishra, Vickey Maurya and Naveen Kumar Singh.

The agency also nabbed three alleged middlemen identified as Vinay Rai, Sanjay Rai and Vikas Mishra, who were allegedly involved in facilitating the contract killing. The CBI sleuths are probing the possible motive behind the assassination and are examining the alleged links between the accused and people connected to political circles.

Rath was shot dead in May 2026

Chandranath Rath, who was CM Adhikari’s personal assistant for nearly five years, was shot dead on May 6 near Kolkata Airport while he was heading towards his home in Michaelnagar in North 24 Parganas district.

The attack unfolded on a relatively deserted stretch of Jessore Road, around 3 kilometres from the airport. According to eyewitness accounts and initial findings conducted by police, a group of armed assailants allegedly chased Rath’s four-wheeler before intercepting the vehicle near the Doharia area of Madhyamgram.

The attackers, who were reportedly travelling on four bikes, allegedly fired at Rath at close range. Officials suspect that as many as ten rounds were fired during the assault. The assailants were reportedly wearing helmets and using bikes without registration plates, apparently to conceal their identities and escape detection.

Suvendu Adhikari (Left) and Chandranath Rath (Right)

CBI probing use of sophisticated weapons

During the course of the probe, agencies have examined the possibility that sophisticated firearms were used in the attack. Preliminary forensic assessments have signalled the possible use of Glock 47X pistols in the killing.

The sleuths believe the attackers had detailed and accurate information about Rath’s location inside the vehicle while he was returning home, suggesting the murder was a premeditated one. The CBI is now delving deeper into the case to piece together the sequence of events, identify all people allegedly involved in the conspiracy and determine the extent of any political connections linked to the case.