TMC MLA Dilip Mondal Arrested from Puri Hotel After 14-Day Manhunt; Brought to Kolkata on Transit Remand.
West Bengal STF nabbed the absconding Bishnupur legislator from Blue Lily Hotel in Puri, Odisha, early Wednesday morning amid mounting post-poll political tensions in the state.
Arrest After Two Weeks on the Run
Trinamool Congress MLA Dilip Mondal, representing the Bishnupur assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas, was arrested by the West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) in the early hours of Wednesday from the Blue Lily Hotel in Puri, Odisha. The legislator had been evading arrest for approximately 14 days since First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against him in connection with alleged open threats made against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers during a post-poll victory rally held on May 11.
The arrest brings to an end a prolonged and high-profile manhunt that had drawn significant political attention across West Bengal and beyond.
The Viral Video That Triggered the FIRs
The controversy stems from a video that went viral on social media following the victory rally on May 11. In the clip, Mondal was purportedly seen issuing direct and provocative threats to BJP workers. He was heard making remarks such as “Go and ask Suvendu who Dilip Mondal is” a reference to Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and further threatening to “teach them a lesson.”
The remarks triggered widespread outrage, with BJP leaders demanding immediate action against the MLA. Multiple FIRs were subsequently filed against Mondal, setting off the chain of events that led to his eventual arrest.
Police Raid at Luxury Pailan Residence; MLA Escapes Through Back Door
On May 14, police personnel accompanied by central forces conducted a raid at Mondal’s expansive residence in Pailan, South 24 Parganas. The property, described by locals and officials as lavish, reportedly features a large swimming pool and other high-end amenities drawing public attention given the opulence on display.
However, Mondal managed to evade arrest by slipping out through the back door of the residence, allegedly jumping over a drain to make his escape. By the time law enforcement secured the premises, the MLA was already gone.
Son Arghya Mondal and Others Arrested With Illegal Firearms
Following the raid, authorities shifted their focus to the MLA’s associates and family members. His son, Arghya Mondal, along with several others, was subsequently arrested from the Bakkhali-Fraserganj coastal area in South 24 Parganas. Illegal firearms, including pistols, were recovered from their possession at the time of arrest a development that further deepened the legal trouble surrounding the Mondal family.
High Court Plea for Protection Rejected; Fugitive Finally Nabbed
Even as he remained on the run, Dilip Mondal approached the Calcutta High Court seeking anticipatory protection from arrest. The move was seen as a legal bid to shield himself from the ongoing police action. However, his efforts did not succeed in halting the proceedings against him.
West Bengal STF, continuing its operation, traced him to Puri in neighbouring Odisha, where he was hiding at the Blue Lily Hotel. He was apprehended without incident in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Transit Remand; Being Brought Back to Kolkata
Dilip Mondal has been placed on transit remand and is currently being escorted back to Kolkata by STF officials. He is expected to face questioning and further legal proceedings upon his return. Authorities are likely to interrogate him in connection with the threat video, the illegal arms found with his associates, and other related matters that emerged during the course of the investigation.
Political Backdrop: Post-Poll Tensions in West Bengal
The arrest comes against the backdrop of heightened post-poll political tensions in West Bengal, following the recently concluded assembly or local body elections in the state. The TMC-BJP rivalry in South 24 Parganas has been particularly intense, with multiple incidents of alleged violence and intimidation reported from across the district.
The opposition BJP has been demanding strict action against TMC leaders accused of targeting political rivals, while the ruling Trinamool Congress has faced pressure to rein in its elected representatives. The Dilip Mondal case has now become a flashpoint in this ongoing political battle.
Also Read: West Bengal Police Arrest TMC Leader’s Aide Ahead of Falta Re-Poll
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