The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two key suspects in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, marking a significant breakthrough in the high-profile investigation.
The accused, identified as Sagar Sonkar and Sahib Sonkar, are brothers who had previously worked with Rath and were reportedly well acquainted with his daily routine and movements. The duo was produced before a designated court in Kolkata following their arrest on Friday.
CBI Examines Alleged Political Links
Investigators are now probing whether the murder was part of a larger conspiracy with possible political connections. According to CBI sources, the agency is examining why Sagar Sonkar allegedly made frequent landline calls to the office of a rival political party while employed by Rath.
"The investigation is focused on whether these communications were linked to a larger conspiracy behind the killing," CBI sources said.
Officials are analysing call detail records, financial transactions and other digital evidence to establish the motive and identify anyone who may have orchestrated the attack.
Close-Range Shooting Near Kolkata Airport
Chandranath Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel and a trusted member of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's political team, was shot dead on May 6 near Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district.
According to investigators, motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted Rath's vehicle before opening fire at close range in a busy locality near Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, killing him on the spot.
The assassination shocked the state and triggered widespread political reactions.
Case Handed Over to CBI
The murder took place shortly after the West Bengal Assembly election results, in which the BJP secured a major victory and Suvendu Adhikari assumed office as Chief Minister.
The killing sparked demands for an impartial investigation, prompting the West Bengal Police to initially constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT had arrested suspected contract killers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during the early stages of the probe.
However, the investigation was later transferred to the CBI, which registered a fresh FIR and constituted a dedicated team to investigate the case from the ground up.
The central agency is now pursuing multiple leads to uncover the complete conspiracy behind the murder, including the role of intermediaries, financiers and any possible political masterminds.
"The agency is analysing call records, financial transactions and other evidence to establish the full conspiracy. More arrests are likely as the investigation progresses," officials said.
With the arrests of the Sonkar brothers, the CBI's probe has entered a crucial phase as investigators attempt to determine whether Rath's killing was the result of a contract killing or part of a broader politically motivated conspiracy.
