India, May 8 -- The murder of West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari's aide Chandranath Rath was likely premeditated, investigators said on Thursday, pointing to a well-planned operation that lasted less than 60 seconds. Three people have been detained for questioning in the shooting that sent shockwaves through restive West Bengal.

The killers used multiple vehicles with tampered licence plates and chassis numbers, said an investigator who asked not to be named. The West Bengal police formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case, which fanned the raging political firestorm in the state.

Adhikari said Rath (41) was murdered because of their close ties. BJP leaders across the country blamed the Tr...