Puri: Trinamool Congress MLA Dilip Mondal, who had been on the run for several weeks, was arrested by the West Bengal STF from Odisha’s Puri in connection with a threat and intimidation case.
According to sources, Mondal had been absconding since allegations surfaced against him for allegedly threatening political opponents. Police had earlier conducted raids at two places linked to the Trinamool MLA in Pailan area on May 14 as part of the investigation.
The arrest comes days after Mondal’s son, Arghya Mondal, was taken into custody 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.
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.
The arrest of Dilip Mondal comes amid an intensified crackdown by the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal on Trinamool leaders and functionaries over alleged corruption, extortion and recruitment irregularities.
Notably, several TMC leaders, councillors and civic body officials were recently arrested or questioned by central and state agencies, triggering growing unease within the ruling All India Trinamool Congress.
