Kolkata, 22 May (H.S.): Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Dilip Mandal from Bishnupur has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking protection from arrest amid fears of impending police action in multiple criminal cases registered against him.

According to court sources, the MLA’s counsel mentioned the matter before Justice Sougata Bhattacharya on Thursday, after which the court granted permission to file a petition and scheduled the hearing for Friday.

The plea comes in the backdrop of several FIRs lodged against the TMC legislator following the circulation of a viral video after the Assembly election results. In the video, Mandal was allegedly heard making threatening remarks. He reportedly claimed that he had maintained restraint for the past 15 years but would no longer do so, with alleged threats directed at BJP workers. However, the authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.

Following the FIRs, the police along with Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel conducted a search at Mandal’s residence in Pailan on May 14, which led to heightened tension in the area.

During the raid, officials reportedly recovered luxury vehicles, a swimming pool, swings, and expensive wooden furniture from the premises. Sources also said that a cave-like structure was found within the property. Since the raid, Mandal has reportedly been absconding, and the police have been searching for him.

On May 17, a joint operation by the state police task force and Diamond Harbour district police arrested six individuals, including Mandal’s son Arghya Mandal, from Bakkhali and Fraserganj areas. Authorities claimed that weapons were recovered from them and that they were involved in creating unrest in the region.

Amid the ongoing investigation and the police crackdown, the MLA has now sought legal protection from arrest through the High Court.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey