Bengal Police hunts down absconding TMC MLA Dilip Mondal from hotel in Odisha’s Puri over viral threat video case
The Statesman | 28 May 2026
Absconding Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Dilip Mondal has been arrested by the West Bengal Police from a hotel in Puri, marking a major breakthrough in an investigation linked to allegations of intimidation and unrest involving the Bishnupur legislator from South 24 Parganas district. The arrest came after days of search operations across multiple locations following his disappearance after police action at his residence earlier this month.
Officials said the Special Task Force of West Bengal Police, working alongside the Diamond Harbour district police, tracked Mondal’s movements to Odisha after receiving specific intelligence inputs. He is currently being brought back to Kolkata on transit remand for further legal proceedings.
Police had been searching for Dilip Mondal since a case was registered against him under non-bailable sections following allegations of threats and intimidation linked to a viral video circulating on social media. Investigators claimed complaints were filed accusing the MLA of issuing threats to workers and supporters of a rival political group.
A raid was conducted at Mondal’s residence in Pailan on May 14, but officers did not find him there. Locals said he had left the premises shortly before the police arrived after allegedly receiving information about the operation.
According to police officials, investigators recently received information that the MLA was staying at a hotel in Puri. Teams from the STF and Diamond Harbour police travelled to Odisha and verified his presence through hotel records before carrying out the operation.
After confirming his identity, officers entered the hotel premises and detained him. Police said the MLA would now face questioning in connection with the case registered in West Bengal.
The case had already tightened around the MLA’s family after police arrested his son, Arghya Mondal, earlier this month during a separate operation.
According to senior officers from Diamond Harbour district police, Arghya Mondal and four others were taken into custody from the Bakkhali-Fraserganj coastal belt near the Bay of Bengal. Police claimed firearms were recovered during the operation and accused the group of attempting to create disturbances in the area.