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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.

Unveiling Smuggling Networks with Forensics

Updated: Mar 20, 2025

Innovations in forensic science now enable rapid, high-precision detection of trace-level narcotics in complex samples.

Smuggling Networks with Forensics

Forensic narcotics analysis is a specialised branch of forensic science that deals with the identification of illegal drugs and their derivatives. This field plays a crucial role in detecting, and analysing drugs, helping law enforcement and forensic experts identify illicit substances quickly and accurately. These tools can even identify trace amounts of drugs in samples such as blood, urine, hair, and environmental surfaces, providing reliable results in both laboratories and field operations.


The roots of forensic narcotic analysis date back to “The William Palmer Case” of England, where chemical analysis was used to detect toxic substances in the poisoning investigation. Later, the Hague Opium Convention in 1912 led to the routine use of forensic narcotics analysis in the illegal drug trade. In India, forensic narcotics analysis became prominent in the mid-20th century, with the establishment of forensic science laboratories and increasing concerns about illegal drug trafficking.


India faces significant challenges from two major drug-producing regions: the Golden Crescent, which includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, and the Golden Triangle, including Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. Heroin from the Golden Crescent affects states like Punjab, while drugs from the Golden Triangle affect northeastern states such as Manipur and Mizoram. This dual threat continues to disrupt families and communities, emphasising the need for countermeasures.


Several notable cases have employed these tools in detecting and seizing narcotic drugs. In 2021, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 3000 kg of cocaine worth ₹21,000 crore at Mundra Port, Gujarat. Advanced container scanners revealed cocaine hidden in a shipment labelled as ‘talcum powder’. These scanners can analyse dense, irregular items of shipments, enabling the detection of hidden drugs. Similarly, detection dogs have displayed their value in drug enforcement. At Bengaluru Airport in 2018, a trained sniffer dog identified a consignment of hashish hidden in gift items destined for Dubai.


Another major drug detection tool includes the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) testing kits, which are portable and allow on-the-spot colour-changing chemical testing of narcotic substances. The customs officials seized 50 kg of heroin hidden in a truck carrying agricultural produce using these kits at the Wagah Border in 2021. This immediate identification facilitates further investigation into cross-border smuggling networks.


Modern forensic tools are increasingly integrated with mobile applications, allowing for seamless data collection, analysis, and sharing. This integration facilitates real-time decision-making and enhances the efficiency of forensic investigations. For example, NIRLAB's ultra-portable near-infrared detector connects to a mobile app, enabling instant analysis and visualisation of results.


The Supreme Court has emphasised the pivotal role of forensic tools in enhancing the effectiveness of narcotic drug investigations and has recognised the results of such tests as scientific evidence. In the 2013 case of Thana Singh vs. Central Bureau of Narcotics, the Supreme Court acknowledged that timely chemical analysis of seized substances is essential for the effective prosecution of drug-related offences. It also recommended establishing more forensic labs and appointing qualified experts for prompt analysis. Experts like Dr. Rajesh Sharma, a leading narcotics specialist, use chemistry to trace drug origins and lift fingerprints from packages to track down and expose entire smuggling networks. They provide evidence needed to prosecute traffickers and shut down operations.


The Centre of Excellence at NFSU uses advanced tools to identify and quantify narcotic substances. They also develop portable testing kits that allow law enforcement agencies to conduct on-the-spot analysis during raids and seizures. Its contributions integrate forensic science into modern law enforcement strategies.


These advancements are transforming forensic narcotic detection in India by providing more efficient, accurate, and safer methods for identifying substances, thereby strengthening the efforts of law enforcement agencies.


(Dr. Kumar is a retired IPS officer and forensic consultant to the Assam Government. Bhowmickis a research associate in criminology.)

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