West Bengal STF arrest Trinamool MLA Dilip Mondal from Puri

Bhubaneswar: Trinamool MLA Dilip Mondal was arrested from Odisha’s Puri by the West Bengal STF on Wednesday. The MLA has been evading the West Bengal STF for several weeks.

Mondal had been on the run since allegations surfaced against him for allegedly threatening political opponents. Police had earlier conducted raids at two properties linked to the Trinamool MLA in the Pailan area on May 14 as part of the investigation.

The arrest comes days after Mondal’s son, Arghya Mondal, was arrested along with five others from the Bakkhali-Fraserganj area in South 24 Parganas on May 18 for allegedly possessing firearms. According to police, a joint team of West Bengal Police and Diamond Harbour district police carried out the operation late on Sunday.

Officials said two pistols and six mobile phones were seized from the accused during the raid. All six were later brought to Diamond Harbour police station for questioning. Police also alleged that Arghya Mondal had been threatening BJP workers and supporters in the area.
Investigators had earlier described Dilip Mondal as “absconding” and said efforts were underway to trace him following complaints related to intimidation and threats against political rivals.