Trinamool MLA Dilip Mondal detained from Puri hotel after weeks on the run
Synopsis
TMC MLA Dilip Mondal, who had been evading West Bengal Police since a 14 May raid on his home, was finally traced to a hotel in Puri and detained by the STF. His son Arghya was already in custody after being caught with firearms near the Bay of Bengal — making this a rare case of a sitting legislator and his son both facing arrest within days of each other.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal Police STF detained TMC MLA Dilip Mondal from a hotel in Puri, Odisha on 27 May .
Mondal represents the Bishnupur constituency in South 24 Parganas and had been absconding since 14 May .
He is accused of threatening political workers in a viral video; a case was registered under non-bailable sections .
His son Arghya Mondal was arrested on 17 May along with four others from the Bakkhali-Fraserganj area, reportedly in possession of firearms.
Mondal is being transported to Kolkata on transit remand for further questioning.
West Bengal Police on Wednesday, 27 May detained absconding All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Dilip Mondal from a hotel in Puri, Odisha, ending a nearly two-week manhunt. Mondal, who represents the Bishnupur constituency in South 24 Parganas district, was picked up by the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police and is being brought to Kolkata on transit remand.
How the Arrest Unfolded
The STF, working in coordination with Diamond Harbour Police, received intelligence a few days ago that Mondal was staying at a hotel in Puri. Officers verified his presence through the hotel's registration records before raiding his room and detaining him. He had allegedly fled his palatial residence in Pailan, South 24 Parganas, after learning that police had arrived to conduct a search on 14 May.
The Allegations Against the MLA
A video purportedly showing Mondal threatening workers and supporters of a rival political party circulated on social media, though its authenticity could not be independently verified. A formal complaint was lodged at a local police station, following which officers registered a case under non-bailable sections and launched an investigation into the alleged intimidation. Since the raid on his home yielded nothing, the STF widened its search across multiple locations before tracing him to Odisha.
Son Arghya Mondal Arrested Earlier
The MLA's detention follows the arrest of his son, Arghya Mondal, on 17 May. Arghya was among five people apprehended from the Bakkhali-Fraserganj area near the Bay of Bengal during a joint operation by the STF and Diamond Harbour District Police. According to a senior Diamond Harbour district police officer, Arghya was arrested in possession of firearms and is accused of creating unrest in the area.
Wider Context
The case adds to a pattern of law-enforcement actions involving TMC-affiliated legislators in West Bengal, where allegations of political intimidation have drawn repeated scrutiny. Notably, the use of the STF — typically deployed for organised crime and high-stakes fugitive operations — signals the seriousness with which authorities are treating Mondal's evasion. The transit remand will allow police to formally question him in Kolkata before any further legal proceedings.
With Mondal now in custody, investigators are expected to examine the viral video evidence and question him about the alleged threats. The case will be closely watched given the political sensitivities surrounding elected representatives facing criminal proceedings in the state.
Point of View
Or how politically untenable the optics of a fugitive MLA had become. That both Mondal and his son now face custody within a fortnight raises questions about the ecosystem of impunity that critics argue has long shielded party-affiliated figures in the state. The viral video, whose authenticity remains unverified, is the evidentiary linchpin; if it holds up, the non-bailable charges make bail a harder road. Opposition parties will use this to press the narrative of TMC's internal lawlessness — a charge the ruling party can ill afford ahead of any electoral cycle.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was TMC MLA Dilip Mondal detained?
Dilip Mondal was detained in connection with a case registered under non-bailable sections over allegations that he threatened workers and supporters of a rival political party in a viral video. West Bengal Police had been searching for him since a raid on his home on 14 May found him absent.
Where was Dilip Mondal found?
Mondal was traced to a hotel in Puri, Odisha. The STF confirmed his presence through the hotel's registration records before raiding his room and detaining him on 27 May.
What happened to Dilip Mondal's son Arghya Mondal?
Arghya Mondal was arrested on 17 May along with four others from the Bakkhali-Fraserganj area near the Bay of Bengal. He was reportedly found in possession of firearms and is accused of creating unrest in the area.
Which police unit carried out the detention?
The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police, in coordination with Diamond Harbour District Police, conducted the operation that led to Mondal's detention in Puri.
What happens next in the case?
Dilip Mondal is being brought to Kolkata on transit remand, where investigators are expected to formally question him about the alleged intimidation and examine the viral video as evidence.
