Trinamool MLA, absconding for weeks, arrested from Odisha's Puri in threats case
West Bengal STF arrested TMC MLA Dilip Mondal from Puri after weeks on the run. The move follows complaints of threats against political rivals and comes days after his son was held in a firearms case.
Trinamool MLA Dilip Mondal was arrested by the West Bengal STF from Odisha’s Puri after remaining absconding for several weeks, police sources said. 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.
BACKGROUND: CRACKDOWN ON TRINAMOOL LEADERS
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.
In recent weeks, several Trinamool leaders, councillors and civic body officials have either been arrested or questioned by central and state agencies, triggering growing unease within the ruling All India Trinamool Congress.
Former Trinamool minister Sujit Bose was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on May 11 in connection with an alleged recruitment scam linked to the South Dum Dum Municipality. The ED booked him under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The agency has also questioned former South Dum Dum Municipality chairperson Panchu Roy over alleged irregularities in civic recruitment.
Several other arrests tied to alleged corruption and extortion cases have further deepened the political crisis within the party. Last week, three councillors were arrested over accusations of extortion and intimidation.
The atmosphere within the Trinamool camp turned more tense after the death of influential South Dum Dum councillor Sanjay Das on May 23. Das, who was considered close to Trinamool leader Debraj Chakraborty and had faced allegations of corruption and extortion, was found hanging. Police registered a case of unnatural death.
Chakraborty, the husband of former Trinamool MLA Aditi Munshi, is also under investigation by central agencies in connection with the alleged civic recruitment scam.
Trinamool MLA Dilip Mondal was arrested by the West Bengal STF from Odisha’s Puri after remaining absconding for several weeks, police sources said. 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.
BACKGROUND: CRACKDOWN ON TRINAMOOL LEADERS
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.
In recent weeks, several Trinamool leaders, councillors and civic body officials have either been arrested or questioned by central and state agencies, triggering growing unease within the ruling All India Trinamool Congress.
Former Trinamool minister Sujit Bose was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on May 11 in connection with an alleged recruitment scam linked to the South Dum Dum Municipality. The ED booked him under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The agency has also questioned former South Dum Dum Municipality chairperson Panchu Roy over alleged irregularities in civic recruitment.
Several other arrests tied to alleged corruption and extortion cases have further deepened the political crisis within the party. Last week, three councillors were arrested over accusations of extortion and intimidation.
The atmosphere within the Trinamool camp turned more tense after the death of influential South Dum Dum councillor Sanjay Das on May 23. Das, who was considered close to Trinamool leader Debraj Chakraborty and had faced allegations of corruption and extortion, was found hanging. Police registered a case of unnatural death.
Chakraborty, the husband of former Trinamool MLA Aditi Munshi, is also under investigation by central agencies in connection with the alleged civic recruitment scam.
