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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.

Eyes Everywhere: How CCTV Is Solving Crimes in Real Time

CCTV may raise privacy concerns, but in cities where it's prevalent, crime has fallen by as much as 30 per cent.

Closed-circuit television, or CCTV, has become one of the most important instruments in modern forensic investigations. CCTV technology, which was first created in the late 1940s in Germany to monitor rocket launches, has advanced dramatically over the years. It now serves an important role in both preventing and solving crimes by giving visual evidence that may be used in court. CCTV systems have evolved from analogue tape records to high-definition digital footage with cloud storage, and artificial intelligence has made them smarter and more reliable than ever.


The use of CCTV footage in legal proceedings in India has become increasingly significant. In the case of Sonu vs. State of Haryana, courts relied heavily on video evidence for conviction. The courts also said that CCTV footage can be used as evidence under Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act if specific conditions are met. Recently, a major theft at a jewellery store in Delhi was cracked within hours with the help of CCTV footage that clearly showed the perpetrator’s face and movements. The Supreme Court of India, too, has emphasised the importance of surveillance. In the case of Paramvir Singh Saini vs Baljit Singh (2020), the court ordered the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations and interrogation rooms, stating that this move would ensure accountability and transparency. The bench also stated that such footage could protect both citizens and law enforcement officials from false allegations.


Scientific advancements are expanding the capabilities of CCTV. A recent study focuses on applying AI algorithms to detect tampering in surveillance videos while maintaining the integrity of the footage. Artificial intelligence is also utilised for real-time facial recognition, object tracking, and behavioural analysis, allowing law enforcement agencies to prevent crimes before they occur. “CrimeTracer AI”, a contemporary AI tool, allows investigators to explore large amounts of video footage data using plain-language instructions, which significantly reduces the investigation time.


The use of CCTV in urban policing has been pioneered by experts in India, especially Dr. A.K. Viswanathan, a former Chennai Police Commissioner. Under his leadership, Chennai launched the "Third Eye" initiative, which included the installation of over 250,000 cameras across the city and the integration of facial recognition technology to increase public safety. On the forensic side, the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) have developed into nationwide centres for video forensics. Some industry leaders like Amped Software offer solutions for court-admissible video analysis.


Internationally, agencies such as Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) offer recommendations and guidelines on the forensic treatment and handling of video evidence, promoting cross-border consistency. The insightful TED Talk titled “The Tech That Tracks You” offers insightful public perspectives on surveillance technology, balancing its benefits with concerns about privacy and ethics.


Despite privacy concerns, the presence of CCTV has consistently shown a reduction in crime rates in monitored areas, sometimes by as much as 30%. The forensic value of the technology lies not only in recording events but also in doing so in a way that can be verified, and AI is increasingly being used to find even the smallest digital changes. We expect CCTV's role in ensuring justice and public safety to only strengthen as it continues to merge with cutting-edge technology. For the average citizen, it brings peace of mind; for law enforcement, it is an unblinking ally in the quest for truth.


(Dr. Kumar is a retired IPS and forensic advisor to the Government of Assam. Bora is student of forensic at NFSU, Guwahati. Views personal.)

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