Kolkata, 27 May (H.S.): Special Task Force of the West Bengal Police, along with a joint team from Diamond Harbour Police, arrested Dilip Mondal from a hotel in Puri on Tuesday. Preparations are now underway to bring him to Kolkata.
A video allegedly featuring the Trinamool Congress MLA from Bishnupur in South 24 Parganas had recently gone viral on social media. He was accused of threatening workers and supporters of opposition parties in the clip. A police complaint was subsequently lodged against him in connection with the alleged remarks. However, the authenticity of the viral video has not been independently verified.
The police had registered a case under non-bailable sections on charges of criminal intimidation and launched an investigation. As part of the probe, police raided his luxurious residence in Pailan on May 14, but failed to find him there. Local sources claimed that he had fled the house before the police arrived.
Since then, police had been searching for him continuously. According to sources, the STF received information two days ago that Dilip Mondal was staying at the “Blue Lily” hotel in Puri. Acting on the tip-off, STF personnel along with Diamond Harbour Police conducted a raid at the hotel. After checking the hotel register, officers reportedly reached his room and arrested him.
In the same case, police had earlier arrested the MLA’s son Arghya Mondal on charges of creating unrest in the area. The police had also claimed to have recovered a firearm from his possession at the time of arrest. Four other individuals have also been arrested in connection with the case.
Following the complaint, Dilip Mondal had approached the Calcutta High Court seeking protection from arrest and cancellation of multiple FIRs lodged against him. However, while the matter was still pending before the court, police arrested him from Puri.
Notably, the MLA reportedly owns two houses in Pailan, one of which is described as highly luxurious. The property allegedly includes a swimming pool, landscaped gardens, and decorative sculptures, with locals comparing its appearance to that of a resort.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
