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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

External involvement in Chandranath’s murder

Political and Geopolitical forces behind the killing in West Bengal New Delhi: The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections have not only signaled a new trajectory in Indian politics but have also stirred ripples in global geopolitics. The unprecedented victory of the BJP in the state brought to light events that reveal how the long-standing cycle of political power struggles and violence is now emerging in a new form. The most alarming manifestation of this shift came late Wednesday night with...

External involvement in Chandranath’s murder

Political and Geopolitical forces behind the killing in West Bengal New Delhi: The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections have not only signaled a new trajectory in Indian politics but have also stirred ripples in global geopolitics. The unprecedented victory of the BJP in the state brought to light events that reveal how the long-standing cycle of political power struggles and violence is now emerging in a new form. The most alarming manifestation of this shift came late Wednesday night with the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal secretary to senior BJP leader Shuvendu Adhikari. Chandranath Rath, a veteran who served 15 years in the Indian Air Force, was closely working with his family friend and senior BJP leader, Shuvendu Adhikari. His killing is more than an isolated personal attack and it signals a disturbing new dimension of political violence. Historically, electoral violence in West Bengal has targeted the workers of losing parties. This time, however, even the leaders and workers of the winning side have fallen victim. The implications of this violence extend beyond the state's borders. Following the BJP's landslide victory in West Bengal, the activity of anti-India elements in neighboring countries has intensified. Bangladesh and Pakistan have expressed concern over the party's victory, while China and the United States are also closely monitoring its implications. This highlights that election results in border states now carry geopolitical significance far beyond local politics. For decades, West Bengal and Assam have been treated as strategic zones in broader geopolitical games, with external forces allegedly attempting to maintain unrest in these regions over the past seven decades, like Jammu-Kashmir. Investigations into Chandranath Rath's murder indicate a pre-meditated conspiracy. The assailants used advanced Glock 47X firearms, suggesting that the plot was not confined to local planning alone. The crime occurred just 60 kilometers from Basirhat, near the Bangladesh border, which strengthens the likelihood of external involvement. Violent History History shows that violence and muscle power have always been intertwined with West Bengal politics. From the "Khaddo Movement" of the 1960s to slogans like "Dam Dam Dawai," political action was often synonymous with coercion, intimidation and murder. During the Left Front era, strategies like "scientific rigging," booth capture, and leveraging local goons became commonplace. Later, the Trinamool Congress inherited these structures and kept them under its control. Today's events demonstrate that this system remains alive. Border Dynamics The complexity of border areas and communal dynamics further complicates the scenario. In constituencies along the West Bengal and Assam borders, Muslim candidates secured victories, while regions adjacent to West Bengal in Bangladesh are represented by members of Jamaat-e-Islami. Groups like Jamaat-e-Islami have long pursued anti-India agendas, and their influence can be seen in electoral outcomes across these areas. The BJP's recent victory, and the violence that ensued, draw attention to geopolitics. The President of the United States congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking an unprecedented acknowledgment of a state-level BJP win. In contrast, Pakistani and Bangladeshi media have reacted with alarm, while discussions in Bangladesh's parliament highlight concern for the Muslim communities in these regions. Local outbreaks of violence further underline that West Bengal is no longer merely a domestic political theatre, however, this is a hub of geopolitical activity, where external forces seek to keep unstable and chaotic. This cycle of political violence extends beyond individual acts. It has become a complex mix of administrative inefficiency, local political rivalry, and external interference. The immediate presence of DGP Siddh Nath Gupta and CRPF DG Gyanendra Pratap Singh at the crime scene underscores the gravity of the situation. Chandranath Rath's murder is not merely a personal tragedy but a broader political and societal security challenge. The events echo the 1970s when Naxalism emerged in West Bengal, eventually spreading across India's "Red Corridor." Rath's assassination makes it clear that politics in West Bengal is no longer limited to electoral competition or local governance. The incident lays bare the intertwined realities of political violence, international geopolitics, and social security concerns. If the current trends continue, West Bengal may evolve into a region sensitive not only to national politics but also to global strategic interests.

DNA 3D Molecular Photofitting: Frontier in Criminal Identification

DNA 3D Molecular Photofitting

The foolproof identification of an accused in undetected criminal cases remains a significant challenge for investigating officers. Traditionally, under the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, identification relied on fingerprints, footprints, and photographs. While these methods played a crucial role in the past, their susceptibility to manipulation necessitated the adoption of more advanced identification techniques. Recognizing this need, the Government of India repealed the 1920 Act in 2022 and introduced the Criminal Procedure Identification Act, 2022.


This new Act represents a monumental leap in forensic identification by incorporating biological samples, behavioral attributes (such as signature and handwriting), and the examination of blood, semen, hair, swabs, and DNA analysis. For the first time in Indian legal history, DNA analysis was formally recognized as a means of identification through legislation. Although the first judicial recognition of DNA evidence in India occurred in Kunhiraman v. Manoj (1991) in the Kerala High Court, it was only with the enactment of the 2022 Act that DNA analysis received statutory legitimacy.


In cold and undetected cases where body fluid evidence is available but the accused is at large, DNA analysis can be instrumental in identification, provided a suspect is identified for comparison. Modern DNA technology has progressed to the extent that even a microscopic biological sample, as small as one picogram, can yield significant forensic insights. In the United States, forensic experts have developed 2D facial reconstruction from DNA, offering a groundbreaking method to aid investigations, which is also called Snapshot DNA Analysis, developed by Parabon NanoLabs, INC www.parabon-nanolabs.com.


Paraben Corporation, a U.S.-based digital forensics company, has pioneered advancements in forensic DNA technology, particularly in DNA-based suspect identification. Their innovative approach involves generating a 2D facial print from a DNA sample, assisting law enforcement in reconstructing facial features. By analyzing genetic markers linked to skin tone, hair color, and facial structure, Paraben’s technology translates raw DNA data into a detailed 2D representation of an individual's face. This advancement is particularly beneficial in cases where photographic evidence or eyewitness accounts are unavailable. In India, there could be many such cases.


With the advent of 3D printing technology, forensic DNA analysis has reached new heights over 2D DNA printing. 3D Molecular Photofitting is an advanced forensic technique that reconstructs a person’s facial features using DNA evidence. By analyzing genetic markers associated with traits such as skin tone, eye color, hair color, and facial structure, forensic experts can generate a predictive 3D model of an individual’s face. The DNA Technology is under trial phases developed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Centre for Biotechnology, Troy, NY, USA.


This cutting-edge technique integrates genomics, bioinformatics, and AI-driven modelling, significantly enhancing suspect identification, especially in cold cases. The technology offers a promising solution for cases where conventional methods fail, aiding law enforcement in suspect identification with unprecedented accuracy and precision in the case of Saif Ali Khan.


While these emerging DNA technologies hold immense potential, they are still in their incipient stages and require further refinement. The cost factor remains a hurdle, but advancements in forensic science are making these methods more accessible. For instance, which once took months to develop a DNA profile, can now generate results in just 90 minutes through RapidHit Technology developed by Thermofisher. It’s available with Gujarat and Odisha FSL.


Law enforcement agencies must harness these technological advancements to ensure swift and effective justice delivery. DNA-based facial reconstruction can be a game-changer in cases where CCTV footage-based facial matching is disputed or where traditional forensic methods fail to yield results.


While DNA 3D Molecular Photofitting presents promising opportunities for forensic science, its implementation must be accompanied by stringent ethical guidelines and privacy safeguards. Concerns surrounding genetic profiling, data security, and potential misuse necessitate robust regulation and oversight to ensure responsible and ethical usage.


As forensic science evolves at a rapid pace, the integration of advanced DNA-based technologies promises to transform criminal investigations, offering a level of clarity that has often eluded law enforcement. These innovations could eradicate the uncertainties that have historically clouded the search for justice, speeding up investigations and infusing the courtroom with a new standard of scientific rigor. The future of forensic identification lies in harnessing these breakthroughs to unite the precision of science with the intricacies of the legal system. It’s time to place more science at the heart of the courtroom, where justice meets technology.


(The author is a retired IPS officer and forensic consultant to the Assam government. Views personal.)

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