CBI arrests fifth accused from Varanasi in killing of Suvendu Adhikari's aide

This was the second arrest in two days in connection with Rath's murder. Earlier, on Monday, the CBI had arrested Raj Kumar Singh, also known as Raj Singh, from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. He has been identified as a key accused in the case.

In Short

• Vinay Rai, a resident of UP's Ghazipur, arrested from Varanasi
• He is set to be produced before a court in Kolkata on May 20
• It is the second arrest by CBI in two days as part of its probe

A fifth accused has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh as part of the probe into the killing of Chandranath Rath, who was a close aide of BJP leader and now-West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The probe agency has taken Vinay Rai, a resident of Varanasi's neighbouring Ghazipur district, into custody, officials said on Tuesday.

While his specific role in the high-profile killing has not been disclosed, he is accused of being a part of the broader conspiracy leading to the crime. At the time of writing this report, Rai was being transported to Kolkata, where he is set to be produced before a court on Wednesday.

This was the second arrest in two days in connection with Rath's murder. Earlier, on Monday, the CBI had arrested Raj Kumar Singh, also known as Raj Singh, from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. He is believed to be a key accused in the case.

EARLIER ARRESTS BY POLICE

The probe into the killing was initially being handled by the West Bengal Police. However, the CBI later took over the investigation following a request from the state government.

Three of the five arrests were already made by the time the probe was formally transferred.

The three men who were arrested by the West Bengal Police in the case are: Mayank Raj Mishra, Vicky Maurya and Raj Singh (not to be confused with Raj Kumar Singh arrested later).

According to the police, Mishra and Maurya were arrested from Buxar in Bihar, while Raj Singh was taken into custody from Ballia in UP.

MURDER AFTER LANDSLIDE BJP WIN

Rath, the personal assistant to Adhikari, was shot dead in Madhyamgram near Kolkata on May 6, two days after the declaration of the fiercely contested 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls.

The election saw the Bharatiya Janata Party handing a massive defeat to the Triamool Congress, which had been ruling the state for 15 consecutive years. On May 9, Adhikari was sworn in as West Bengal's first BJP CM.

- Ends
(With inputs from PTI)