Chandranath Rath funeral: CM Adhikari garlands late aide’s photograph, speaks to family, assures justice
The Statesman | 18 May 2026
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday visited the residence of his murdered personal assistant, Chandranath Rath, in the Chandipur area of East Midnapore district. He paid his respects, garlanded Rath’s photograph, and met the grieving family.
Chandranath’s mother, Hasirani Rath, spoke to reporters after the Chief Minister’s visit. “It is my great fortune that he came to my house. He remembered my son. Many people forget everything after getting a post. But he came and cried,” she said.
She added that Adhikari assured the family of justice. “The Chief Minister said that he is with us. He will ensure the strictest punishment for the guilty.”
Adhikari told the family that “there will be justice.” Hasirani said she believes him. “I have faith in the Chief Minister. I hope justice will come for my son’s murder.”
Chandranath Rath was shot dead on the night of May 6 in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district. He was seated in the front of a vehicle beside the driver when the attack took place.
Two assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire on the vehicle. The driver was also injured in the shooting. Both were rushed to a hospital immediately. Chandranath was declared brought dead on arrival.
State police formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the murder. The SIT arrested two individuals from Uttar Pradesh. They also arrested a sharpshooter from Buxar in Bihar.
However, the identity of the main conspirator remains unknown. Investigators have not yet established who planned the murder or what the motive was.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has since taken over the case.
A funeral service took place at Chandranath’s residence in East Midnapore on Sunday. Adhikari arrived in the evening, garlanded the photograph of the deceased, and spoke at length with family members.
After the Chief Minister left, Hasirani expressed hope that the CBI investigation would deliver results.
“Those who killed my son should be severely punished. We have faith in the Chief Minister. He also wanted strict punishment for the guilty. We have sought justice. We will know everything when the CBI investigation progresses,” she said.
Chandranath Rath served as the personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. His killing drew immediate political attention given his proximity to the state’s top leader. The case transferred to the CBI after the SIT made initial arrests but failed to identify the mastermind.
The investigation is ongoing. There are no formal charges have those arrested, and authorities have yet to confirm the motive behind the targeted attack. The family says they are waiting for the CBI probe to advance before drawing any conclusions about who ordered the killing.