The murder of close aide Chandranath Rath in 2026 has once again pushed West Bengal’s violent political culture into the spotlight. But for many observers, this was not an isolated incident. Over the last 13 years, several people considered close to BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari have died under controversial or tragic circumstances.
A timeline highlighted by The Lallantop has reignited debate over whether these incidents are merely coincidences or part of a deeper pattern linked to Bengal’s highly polarised politics.
2013: Personal Assistant Pradeep Jha Found Dead on Footpath
The first major incident dates back to 2013. According to reports discussed in the Lallantop video, Pradeep Jha, who worked as Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant, was found dead on a footpath.
At the time, the incident triggered concern because of Jha’s proximity to the influential leader. However, the case never received prolonged national attention, and many questions surrounding the circumstances of his death remained unanswered in public discourse.
2018: Bodyguard Shuvrata Chakraborty Dies
Five years later, another tragedy struck people associated with Adhikari. In 2018, his bodyguard Shuvrata Chakraborty reportedly lost his life.
Security personnel attached to senior politicians are generally considered part of a highly sensitive protection system, which made the incident politically significant. Opposition voices at the time questioned whether enough attention was being paid to the safety of individuals working closely with powerful political figures in Bengal.
Follow TJP Whatsapp Channel2021: Driver and Associate Pulak Lahiri’s Death During High Political Tension
In 2021, Bengal witnessed one of the most heated Assembly elections in its history. The political battle between the BJP and the ruling TMC turned intensely aggressive, especially after Suvendu Adhikari left the Trinamool Congress and emerged as one of Mamata Banerjee’s strongest challengers.
During this politically charged atmosphere, Pulak Lahiri — described as an associate and driver linked to Adhikari — also died.
The period after the elections saw repeated allegations of political violence across the state. BJP leaders accused the ruling establishment of targeting their workers and supporters, while the TMC rejected the allegations and countered that BJP was trying to malign Bengal’s image.
2026: Chandranath Rath Shot Dead
The latest and most shocking case came in 2026 when Chandranath Rath, considered one of Suvendu Adhikari’s closest aides and personal assistants, was allegedly shot dead in Madhyamgram.
The killing immediately sparked political uproar across West Bengal. Suvendu Adhikari called the murder “pre-planned” and accused the ruling dispensation of creating an atmosphere where opposition voices and their associates feel unsafe.
The BJP demanded a detailed investigation, while the TMC dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
Why These Cases Are Drawing Attention Again
Individually, each of these incidents may have different circumstances and legal findings. However, political analysts note that the repeated deaths of people closely connected to a single opposition leader naturally raise public curiosity and political suspicion.
The issue becomes even more sensitive because West Bengal has a long history of political clashes, cadre violence, and accusations of targeted intimidation by rival parties.
For BJP supporters, the timeline reinforces their claim that opposition leaders and their teams are vulnerable in Bengal’s political environment. For TMC leaders, however, such narratives are attempts to create political sympathy and sensationalism without conclusive evidence.
Coincidence or Political Pattern?
At present, there is no official investigation or judicial finding that conclusively links all these deaths together. Yet the recurrence of such incidents involving individuals associated with Suvendu Adhikari has become a major talking point in Bengal politics.
With Chandranath Rath’s murder bringing renewed focus to earlier incidents, demands for transparent investigations and accountability are likely to intensify in the coming months.
