The Special Investigation Team examining the murder of Chandranath Rath located the motorcycle believed to have been used during the deadly attack on Thursday.
Despite the recovery, investigators continue to face difficulties identifying the individuals associated with the motorcycle and the four-wheeler involved in the incident.
Initial findings suggested that Rath was travelling back home on Wednesday night after attending a BJP event when unidentified attackers began tailing his vehicle on a motorcycle.
As the vehicle reached the Doharia crossing area in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district, another vehicle allegedly moved in front and blocked the route.
Soon afterwards, a helmeted gunman riding the motorcycle approached Rath’s vehicle and fired several rounds from point-blank range.
The shooting killed Chandranath Rath instantly, while driver Buddhadeb Bera suffered critical injuries.
Police tracked down the four-wheeler within hours of the incident, which occurred around 10:30 PM on Wednesday. Officers later recovered the motorcycle from a deserted area nearly four kilometres from the crime location.
Police sources said transport department records identified Bivas Bhattacharya as the registered owner of the motorcycle, with an address listed in Burnpur, West Burdwan district.
Investigators, however, discovered that no person by that name had ever resided there.
The current occupant of the address, Dharamveer Kumar, reportedly told police that he did not own a motorcycle. He also said he did not recognise the name mentioned in the records.
Officials also uncovered irregularities linked to the four-wheeler used to obstruct Rath’s car.
Investigators found that the registration number actually belonged to another vehicle. William Joseph from the Matigara-Naxalbari region of Darjeeling district owns the vehicle.
West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar confirmed that both vehicles carried forged registration plates.
Investigators believe the attackers planned the murder and monitored Rath’s movements for a prolonged period.
Police sources stated that the precision of the shooting indicated the involvement of a trained and experienced sharpshooter. They also pointed to the attacker’s swift escape.
Also Read: CID Takes Over Chandranath Rath Murder Investigation In West Bengal
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