Kolkata, May 17 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday paid his respects to his murdered personal assistant Chandranath Rath at his residence. Adhikari met the victim’s mother and assured the family that “justice will be done”.

Chandranath’s mother, Hasirani Rath, told media persons: “He (Suvendu Adhikari) also cried. I have faith in the Chief Minister. I hope justice will be done for my son’s murder.”

On the night of May 6, Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant was shot dead in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district. Chandranath was seated beside the driver in the vehicle at the time of the attack. The driver was also injured in the firing.

According to reports, the assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire on the vehicle. Chandranath and the injured driver were rescued and rushed to hospital within minutes, but doctors declared Chandranath brought dead.

The state police subsequently formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder. Investigators arrested two persons from Uttar Pradesh and a sharpshooter from Buxar in Bihar. However, who the main conspirator was and whose conspiracy led to the murder are yet to be established. At present, the investigation into the case is being handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

On Sunday, Chandranath’s funeral service was organised at his residence in East Midnapore district. Suvendu Adhikari reached Chandranath’s house in the Chandipur area in the evening. He garlanded Rath’s photograph and spoke to Chandranath’s mother and other family members.

After the Chief Minister left, Chandranath’s mother said: “It is my great fortune that he came to my house. He remembered my son. Many people forget everything after getting a post. But he came and cried. The Chief Minister said that he is with us. He will ensure the strictest punishment for the guilty.”

According to her, “Those who killed my son should be severely punished. We have faith in the Chief Minister. He also wanted strict punishment for the guilty. We have sought justice. We will know everything when the CBI investigation progresses.”

–IANS

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