Crime News / CBI Arrests Two More in Chandranath Rath Murder Case; Total Accused Rises to 11

Kolkata, Aug 1: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two more men in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, executive assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, as the agency investigates what it describes as a contract killing with a possible political angle.

The latest arrests take the total number of accused held in the case to 11, including six alleged shooters and five others accused of coordinating different aspects of the operation.

Two Brothers Sent To CBI Custody
The two accused, identified as brothers Sagar Sonkar and Sahib Sonkar, were produced before a special CBI court in Kolkata on July 31.

The court remanded both to seven days of CBI custody.

The agency has not disclosed when or where the two were arrested.

CBI Probing Possible Political Angle
According to the CBI, the murder was allegedly a contract killing, and investigators are examining whether there was a political conspiracy behind the crime.

Officials said both brothers had, at one stage, been associated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which was in power in West Bengal until the 2026 Assembly elections. However, the agency has not commented on their current political affiliations.

The agency said it is investigating possible links between the alleged conspiracy and a leader of a political party but has not named any individual, stating that this aspect of the probe remains under investigation.

Call Records Under Scanner
Investigators allege that Sagar Sonkar played a key role in coordinating the conspiracy.

According to the CBI, call detail records (CDRs) indicate that he remained in contact with individuals linked to a political party office, primarily through landline calls.

The agency further alleges that Sagar acted as an intermediary between those who planned the murder and the alleged shooters, arranging funds for what investigators describe as a contract killing.

Officials also said both brothers had previously worked with Rath.

Conspiracy Allegedly Hatched In 2025
The CBI believes the alleged conspiracy to murder Rath was first planned in December 2025.

According to investigators, the execution of the plan was postponed several times before it was allegedly carried out on May 6.

The agency is now trying to determine why the alleged conspiracy was repeatedly delayed.

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Murder Took Place After Assembly Poll Results
Chandranath Rath was shot dead at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district on the evening of May 6 while returning home.

The murder occurred two days after the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results, in which the BJP secured a majority, ending the 15-year rule of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government, which was in power from 2011 to 2026.

Investigation Continues
With 11 arrests made so far, the CBI said the investigation is continuing to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy, including the motive, financial trail and any political links behind the killing.