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Car With Fake Plates Blocks Suvendu Adhikari Aide, Then Bike Attack Kills Him
Around 10:30 pm on May 6, 2026, a car with a fake number plate intercepted Rath's car near Doltala, Madhyamgram, prompting a fatal shooting. The attackers, using four motorcycles and a car, fled on bikes after firing multiple shots, and the victim died from chest and abdominal bullet injuries. Investigations and political reactions followed, amid broader concerns over post-poll violence in West Bengal.
Why It Matters
The incident occurs amid ongoing concerns about violence linked to West Bengal's post-election period, involving seemingly professional shooters and contested political blame, highlighting security and political tensions in the state.
Timeline
14 Events
Current post-poll violence statistics cited by police
May 6, 2026
West Bengal police chief said on May 6, 2026 that 200 FIRs had been registered and 433 arrests made in connection with post-poll violence since May 4.
Condemnation from Trinamool Congress
May 6, 2026
The Trinamool Congress condemned the incident in a post on X.
Political reactions: BJP accuses TMC
May 6, 2026
BJP leaders accused the Trinamool Congress of killing an innocent man and said they would identify the accused and bring them to justice.
Vehicle identification: Assembly sticker on the victim's SUV
May 6, 2026
The Scorpio SUV in which the victim returned home bore a sticker identifying it as belonging to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, aiding attackers in recognizing the vehicle.
Forensics: ammunition recovered at the crime scene
May 6, 2026
Empty cartridges and live ammunition were recovered from the crime spot.
Possible use of professional firearms
May 6, 2026
A senior police officer indicated investigators might have used Glock 47X pistols, suggesting the possibility of professional shooters involved.
Initial investigation: vehicle details and tampering
May 6, 2026
Investigators found that four motorcycles and a car were used; a suspicious blocking vehicle had a fake number plate, and the car's chassis number was suspected to be tampered with; motorcycles were reportedly without number plates.
Witness describes the attack as professional
May 6, 2026
A witness claimed the attackers appeared to be professionals, fired at point-blank range, and that the shots occurred between 10:30 pm and 11 pm as the car crossed the witness.
Victim pronounced dead at hospital
May 6, 2026
A doctor said the victim was brought dead with bullet injuries to the chest, including one to the heart, and another bullet to the abdomen; resuscitation was not possible.
Escape of attackers
May 6, 2026
The occupants of the car with the fake plate abandoned the vehicle and escaped on motorcycles.
Attackers fire on Rath's vehicle
May 6, 2026
The assailants fired at least four bullets at Rath's vehicle, then fled the scene.
Incident begins: Car with fake plate blocks Rath's car near Doltala, Madhyamgram
May 6, 2026
Around 10:30 pm on May 6, 2026, a car with a fake number plate intercepted Rath's car near Doltala in Madhyamgram, tailed it, and forced it to stop in the middle of the road.
Context: BJP landslide win in West Bengal Assembly
2021
The Bharatiya Janata Party scored a landslide victory in the West Bengal Assembly election, winning 207 of the state's 294 assembly seats and wresting power from the Trinamool Congress.
Background: 2021 NHRC post-poll violence probe
2021
A National Human Rights Commission probe into post-election violence in 2021 documented about 1,900 crimes, including murders, assaults, arson and vandalism.