Absconding Trinamool MLA Dilip Mondal arrested from Puri in threats case

Trinamool Congress MLA Dilip Mondal was arrested by the West Bengal Special Task Force from Odisha’s Puri after remaining absconding for several weeks in connection with allegations of threatening political rivals. Police sources said Mondal had been under investigation following complaints related to intimidation and threats, and raids had earlier been conducted at two properties linked to him in the Pailan area on May 14.

The arrest came 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 in a firearms-related case. According to police, the operation was carried out jointly by West Bengal Police and Diamond Harbour district police. Officials said two pistols and six mobile phones were seized during the raid, and all six accused 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 connected to intimidation and coercion. Authorities tracked his movement to Odisha before carrying out the arrest operation in Puri.

The arrest of Dilip Mondal comes amid a broader crackdown on Trinamool Congress leaders and functionaries over allegations related to corruption, extortion and recruitment irregularities following the formation of the BJP government in West Bengal. In recent weeks, several Trinamool leaders, councillors and civic officials have either been arrested or questioned by state and central agencies in separate investigations.

Former Trinamool minister Sujit Bose was arrested on May 11 in connection with an alleged recruitment scam linked to the South Dum Dum Municipality. Investigators have also questioned former South Dum Dum Municipality chairperson Panchu Roy regarding alleged irregularities in civic recruitment. Multiple councillors have also been arrested in extortion-related cases, while investigations involving several other Trinamool leaders are continuing.