Daijiworld Media Network – Ballia

Ballia, May 19: Police have registered three cases against a 25-year-old youth arrested in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, aide to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, officials said on Tuesday.

The accused, Raj Kumar Singh, a native of Ratopur village, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from Muzaffarnagar on May 11 in connection with the killing.

Rasra Circle Officer Alok Gupta said two cases have been registered against Singh at Rasra Police Station, while another case has been filed at Gadwar Police Station. Charge sheets have also been submitted in connection with these cases.

Chandranath Rath, who served as executive assistant to Adhikari, was shot dead on May 6 at Doharia in the Madhyamgram area of West Bengal, two days after the declaration of the Assembly election results.

The murder took place on a public road and triggered a major political and criminal investigation. Raj Singh was among the three persons arrested in the case so far.

Police officials said Singh had earlier worked with ONGC in Mumbai before returning to his village and taking up work as a driver. He reportedly aspired to go abroad but was unable to obtain a passport due to pending legal cases.

According to police, Singh was not considered a hardened criminal but was known for impulsive behaviour and involvement in cases related to physical altercations.

His father, Tribhuvan Narayan Singh, said his son had studied in a BA programme for one year and claimed he was unaware whether Raj Singh had travelled to West Bengal.

The CBI took over the investigation from the West Bengal Police following a request from the state government. Officials earlier stated that a seven-member Special Investigation Team headed by a DIG-level officer from Delhi has been formed to probe the case.