Chandranath Rath, a close aide to Suvendu Adhikari (a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party in India), was murdered late Wednesday night in Madhyamgram, West Bengal. An eyewitness recounted the horrifying scene, describing a white Scorpio car where the driver was sobbing and calling out for Rath, who was critically injured with blood gushing from his chest. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Rath was pronounced dead upon arrival due to two bullet wounds. His driver, Buddhadev Bera, sustained multiple injuries but remains conscious and is receiving treatment at Apollo Multispeciality Hospital in Kolkata.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the attack was meticulously planned, involving at least eight assailants on motorcycles. The attackers reportedly intercepted Rath's vehicle as it approached his residence, opening fire at close range. Authorities are also examining a car with a Siliguri registration code that allegedly played a role in the ambush, with suspicions of a fake number plate. The incident has raised concerns over safety and political violence in the region.