Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata

Kolkata, May 27: Trinamool Congress MLA Dilip Mondal was arrested by the West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) from Puri in Odisha after remaining absconding for several weeks, police sources said.

Mondal had allegedly gone into hiding after accusations surfaced against him over threatening and intimidating political opponents.

Police had earlier conducted raids at two properties linked to the MLA in the Pailan area on May 14 as part of the ongoing investigation.

The arrest comes shortly 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 connection with alleged possession of firearms.

According to police, the arrests were made during a late-night operation conducted jointly by the West Bengal Police and Diamond Harbour district police.

Officials said two pistols and six mobile phones were seized during the raid. The accused were subsequently brought to Diamond Harbour police station for interrogation.

Police further alleged that Arghya Mondal had been threatening BJP workers and supporters in the region.

Investigators had earlier declared Dilip Mondal “absconding” and stated that efforts were underway to trace him following complaints related to intimidation and threats against political rivals.