Murder of Suvendu Adhikari's PA: attackers fired from both sides, police say it was planned and professional

The killing occurred days after the BJP achieved a sweeping victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, securing 207 of 294 seats.

An eyewitness described the attack as pre-planned and conducted at point-blank range by a bike-borne assailant, who fled immediately after firing and was heard to have fired two rounds.

A police officer described the murder as carried out with precision, suggesting professional attackers and indicating Rath was the sole target while the SUV remained largely unharmed.

Doctors stated that Rath was hit in the right abdomen and left chest, with bullets piercing the heart; investigators noted the shooters fired from both sides of the SUV, targeting Rath specifically.

The driver of Rath's SUV sustained injuries during the attack. He was initially taken to a hospital in Madhyamgram and was later shifted to a Kolkata hospital for further treatment.

Assailants on a motorcycle intercepted Rath's white Scorpio SUV near Doharia in Madhyamgram, West Bengal, and opened fire while Rath was inside the vehicle, leading to his death.