Absconding TMC MLA Dilip Mondal held from Puri hotel in BJP threat case

KOLKATA: TMC MLA Dilip Mondal, who had been absconding in connection with cases related to alleged intimidation and threats against BJP workers during the recently-concluded West Bengal elections, was arrested from a hotel in Odisha’s Puri on Wednesday.Mondal, the MLA from Bishnupur assembly constituency, had gone missing after two FIRs were lodged against him under non-bailable sections following the circulation of videos in which he was reportedly seen issuing threats against BJP supporters during a public rally.The videos had gone viral on social media, triggering political controversy.The arrest comes days after Mondal’s son was taken into custody on May 18 along with five others from the Bakkhali-Fraserganj area of West Bengal for allegedly possessing firearms.Mondal had won the Bishnupur assembly seat by defeating BJP candidate Abhijit Sardar by a margin of 36,925 votes.(With agency inputs)