Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata
Kolkata, Aug 2: The West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) has claimed that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was allegedly among the targets of a suspected Pakistan-linked espionage network under investigation for gathering sensitive information and planning possible disruptive activities.
The revelation came after the STF arrested suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative Mohammad Hamim Mondal from Purba Bardhaman district and later detained Arpita Sarkar from Jharkhand in connection with the case.
Addressing reporters, STF Inspector General Gaurav Sharma said the investigation had revealed that several political leaders, police officials and other prominent individuals were allegedly being targeted by the network.
“Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was on the target list of Pakistan-based terror groups. The same network attempted to create disturbances during the students’ protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar,” Sharma said.
The arrested accused were produced before a court in Bardhaman, which granted police custody for further questioning.
According to investigators, Mondal was allegedly part of a Pakistan-backed network involved in collecting intelligence about VIPs, recruiting operatives and preparing a possible terror module in West Bengal.
Police are examining electronic devices, including mobile phones and an iPhone recovered from Mondal, to trace his alleged communications with foreign handlers and identify other members linked to the network.
Investigators suspect that Mondal came in contact with alleged Pakistan-based handlers through social media about a year ago. During questioning, he reportedly claimed that some online contacts had links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and other networks.
The STF is probing allegations that Mondal was tasked with identifying political leaders, studying their security arrangements and sharing information with handlers across the border.
The arrest of Arpita Sarkar has brought another angle to the investigation, with officials claiming that she was allegedly in contact with Mondal through WhatsApp.
Investigators are examining chats and other digital evidence to determine her role in what police described as a possible honey-trap network.
Officials suspect that the accused may have attempted to use personal contacts with influential individuals to collect sensitive information.
“The digital evidence is being verified and the exact role of the accused is being examined,” an STF official said.
The STF is continuing its investigation by analysing digital records, verifying foreign phone numbers and tracing the movements of the accused to determine the extent of the suspected network.
Earlier, Suvendu Adhikari had described the case as a serious national security matter and claimed that he, Minister of State Umesh Rai and other VIPs were allegedly under surveillance.
Police are also examining whether the accused had any connection with alleged threat calls received by Umesh Rai.
Officials said the investigation is at a preliminary stage and further details will emerge after the completion of forensic analysis and interrogation of the arrested persons.