Trinamool Congress' MLA Dilip Mondal arrested by Bengal police from Puri for making 'provocative' remarks

Kolkata: A TMC MLA from West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district was arrested in Odisha's Puri for his alleged provocative remarks during a victory procession, police said on Wednesday.

Bishnupur MLA Dilip Mondal was reportedly staying at a hotel in Puri when a police team traced and arrested him.

He was being taken to Kolkata on a transit remand, a senior officer said.


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The arrest comes days after a video of Mondal went viral on social media, in which he was heard purportedly issuing threats to workers and supporters of West Bengal BJP and making provocative remarks.

According to the allegations, Mondal had said, "For 15 years, I showed a lot of restraint and kept things peaceful. But that will not continue anymore."

He had also allegedly made a statement invoking Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, saying, "Ask your chief minister who Dilip Mondal is".

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The police had initiated a search operation after a complaint was lodged over the remarks allegedly made during a TMC victory rally on May 11.

A case was registered against him over charges related to provocation and threatening workers of the opponent party, sources said.

As part of the investigation, the police had earlier conducted searches at two properties linked to Mondal in Pailan, on the southern fringes of Kolkata.

The searches had also triggered a political storm after images of the MLA's lavish residence surfaced on social media.

The sprawling property, featuring landscaped gardens and a large swimming pool, sparked widespread discussion online, with many comparing it to a luxury resort.

Mondal, a former minister of state between 2016 and 2021, retained the Bishnupur assembly seat in South 24 Parganas in the last election.

There was no immediate reaction from the TMC leadership on the MLA's arrest.