Dilip Mondal, former transport minister in the Mamata Banerjee government and a sitting MLA of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), was arrested by the West Bengal Police Special Task Force (STF) from a hotel in Puri on Monday after remaining untraceable for several weeks, police sources said.
Mondal, who represents the Bishnupur constituency in South 24 Parganas district, had allegedly gone into hiding after complaints emerged accusing him of threatening political rivals and opposition supporters. Investigators had earlier described him as “absconding” and launched multiple raids to locate him.
Arrested From Puri Hotel
According to hotel authorities, Mondal had checked into the hotel after completing the required documentation procedures.
“Two persons had come to the hotel and the room was booked in Dilip Mondal’s name after necessary documentation. Police team came to the hotel and took him with them after questioning,” hotel manager Dillip Mishra said.
Police teams had earlier carried out searches at two properties linked to the MLA in the Pailan area on May 14 as part of the investigation.
Son Arrested Earlier In Arms Case
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.
The operation was jointly conducted by the West Bengal Police and Diamond Harbour district police.
According to investigators, two pistols and six mobile phones were seized during the raid. The accused were later taken to Diamond Harbour police station for interrogation.
Police officials alleged that Arghya Mondal had been involved in intimidating BJP workers and supporters in the region.
Sources said the probe into the illegal arms case and allegations of political intimidation eventually intensified scrutiny on Dilip Mondal, prompting efforts to trace him outside West Bengal.
Political Tensions Intensify In West Bengal
The arrest of Dilip Mondal comes amid increasing action against several leaders and functionaries of the All India Trinamool Congress over allegations related to corruption, extortion and recruitment irregularities.
Recently, former Trinamool minister Sujit Bose was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged recruitment scam linked to the South Dum Dum Municipality under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Central agencies have also questioned former South Dum Dum Municipality chairperson Panchu Roy over alleged recruitment irregularities.
In another setback for the ruling party, three councillors were arrested last week in separate cases linked to alleged extortion and intimidation.
Political tensions escalated further after the death of South Dum Dum councillor Sanjay Das, who was found hanging on May 23. Police registered a case of unnatural death.
Das was considered close to Trinamool leader Debraj Chakraborty, who is also under investigation in connection with the alleged civic recruitment scam.
