India
oi-Ashish Rana
The West Bengal STF (Special Task Force) has claimed that West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari was one of the main target in a suspected Pakistan-linked spy network. The investigation is going on to find if the accused tried to create disturbances in the student’s protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The West Bengal STF arrested Mohammad Hamim Mondal and Arpita Sarkar, linking them to a Pakistan-based spy network allegedly targeting CM Suvendu Adhikari and aiming to sabotage student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
STF Arrests Two Accused, Seeks 14-Day Custody
The Police have arrested Mohammad Hamim Mondal from Purba Bardhaman, followed by this they also arrested Arpita Sarkar from Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district. Both were then produced before the court and police were granted their 14 days custody for investigation and questioning.
While addressing the media, STF IG Gaurav Sharma said, “Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was on the target list of Pakistan-based terror groups. The same network tried to create disturbances during the Jantar Mantar students’ protest. We have also seen that there are some police targets, some political targets and some important people who are being targeted in this case.”
Probe Focuses on Alleged Pakistan Links
According to the investigators, Mohammad Hamim Mondal came into the contact with Pakistan people through social media contact about a year ago. According to the police, he was asked to collect the information about political leaders, officers and other important people. The Police have recovered mobile phones including one iPhone and these have been sent for forensic analysis. Now they will check the chats, call records, and other digital evidence to know were also involved in this conspiracy.
Honey-Trap Angle Under Investigation
The investigation is also leading towards arrested Arpita Sarkar after her WhatsApp chats with Mondal. According to STF, she helped Mondal to connect with important people and gather their personal information. However, the official said that they are still investigating her exact role in the conspiracy and have not yet reach to final conclusion.
The officials have also said that many claims are still being verified, the digital evidence and phone call records will clear the exact understanding. West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari has earlier called this an “extremely sensitive” case and it is connected with national security.
