The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday took custody of Gyanendra Pratap Singh, also known as Mannu, the prime accused in the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The accused was taken from Mau jail after completing legal formalities.
Accused Taken to West Bengal
Ballia district government counsel (Criminal) Sanjeev Singh confirmed that the accused was transported to West Bengal late Friday. A report from the Mau jail administration, informing the Ballia court of the development, was presented before the court on Saturday.
Criminal Background
Gyanendra, who has 12 criminal cases against him, had surrendered before a Ballia court on June 4 in connection with a case under the Gangsters Act. Singh stated that the CIB secured his transit based on a warrant issued by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM), North 24 Parganas, Barasat, Kolkata.
Alleged Role in Murder Plot
Investigators believe Gyanendra masterminded the murder plot. He is alleged to have arranged the second-hand Nissan Micra car used in the crime and procured the arms and ammunition. He came under the CBI's radar following the arrests of Rajkumar Singh from Ballia and Vinay Rai alias Pumpum from Ghazipur.
Arrests and Recoveries
Based on investigation leads, the CBI, with assistance from the UP STF, arrested Naveen Singh in Ballia on the night of May 19. Acting on his disclosure, the agency recovered a 9 mm pistol, two .32-bore pistols, two revolvers, 45 live cartridges, nine empty shells, and a mobile phone from a warehouse on May 20.
During interrogation, Naveen allegedly told investigators that on May 7, Gyanendra, Rajkumar Singh, and Golu Singh arrived at his residence in a car and handed him a bag containing weapons, asking him to keep it in safe custody. Naveen said he panicked after seeing reports of Rajkumar's arrest and subsequently concealed the bag in his warehouse along NH-31.
Ongoing Investigation
Before taking Gyanendra to Bengal, the CBI had already shifted Rajkumar Singh, Vinay Rai alias Pumpum, Golu Singh, and Naveen there as part of its ongoing investigation into the murder case.
