Kolkata: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the killing of Chandranath Rath, the long-time personal assistant of outgoing West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, has recovered the motorcycle allegedly used in the assassination, officials confirmed on Thursday.

Rath was shot dead on Wednesday night while returning home after attending a political programme linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to preliminary findings, his vehicle was being trailed by a motorcycle carrying the assailant, while a four-wheeler later blocked his path at the Doharia crossing in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas.

Once Rath’s vehicle came to a halt, the masked rider reportedly pulled up alongside and fired multiple rounds at close range, killing him on the spot. His driver, Buddhadeb Bera, sustained serious injuries in the attack.

Police sources said the four-wheeler involved was traced shortly after the incident, but the motorcycle was recovered later on Thursday from an abandoned spot around four kilometres from the crime scene. West Bengal Police officials have been examining both vehicles as part of the investigation.

Investigators, however, are facing complications over the ownership details of both vehicles. Records from the Motor Vehicles Department show the motorcycle was registered in the name of Bivas Bhattacharya, allegedly linked to an address in Burnpur, West Burdwan. However, verification at the address revealed no such individual had ever resided there.

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The current occupant, Dharamveer Kumar, told investigators he had no connection with the motorcycle or the registered owner.

Similarly, the registration number of the four-wheeler that blocked Rath’s vehicle was found to belong to another car owned by William Joseph, a tea garden manager in the Matigara–Naxalbari area of Darjeeling district. Officials confirmed that Joseph still possesses his original vehicle, suggesting the number plates used during the attack were forged.

West Bengal Police chief S.N. Gupta had earlier stated that fake registration plates were used on both vehicles involved in the crime.

Preliminary assessment by investigators indicates the assassination was carefully planned, with Rath’s movements allegedly under surveillance for some time. Officials also suspect the attacker was a trained shooter, citing the precision and rapid execution of the firing before the assailant fled the scene.

(IANS)