Terror Suspect Had Suvendu Adhikari On Target List, Tried To Disrupt Delhi Protest; Girlfriend Link Exposed Him

Last Updated:August 02, 2026, 11:11 IST

West Bengal STF says West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was on a terror target list, reveals Jantar Mantar protest link and alleged honey-trap network in JeM probe.

The West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) has revealed that West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was allegedly among the targets of a suspected Pakistan-backed espionage network, even as investigators probe links between the accused and attempts to create disturbances during the students’ protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

The developments came a day after the STF arrested suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative Mohammad Hamim Mondal from Purba Bardhaman district in Bengal and subsequently arrested a woman, identified as Arpita Sarkar, from neighbouring Jharkhand, in connection with the case.

Addressing a press conference, STF IG Gaurav Sharma said the investigation had revealed that Adhikari figured on the alleged target list of Pakistan-based terror groups.

“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," Sharma said.

He added that the two arrested accused had been produced before the Bardhaman court and that further interrogation was underway.

Investigation Points To Alleged ISI-Backed Espionage Network

According to investigators, Mondal is suspected to be part of an ISI-backed network tasked with collecting intelligence on VIPs, including BJP leaders, recruiting operatives and laying the groundwork for possible terror activities in West Bengal.

The STF has sought and obtained 14 days’ police custody to interrogate him over his alleged links with Pakistan-based handlers and the activities of the suspected network.

Electronic devices, including an iPhone and other mobile phones recovered from him, were being forensically examined to reconstruct his communications and identify others linked to the module.

Investigators believe Mondal came into contact with Pakistani handlers through social media around a year ago.

During questioning, he allegedly disclosed that one online contact claimed to be associated with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), while others claimed links with the Shahzad Bhatti network.

Police suspect that after being radicalised through encrypted online conversations, Mondal was allegedly tasked with building an espionage module in West Bengal, identifying recruits, monitoring politicians, bureaucrats and other protected persons, studying their security arrangements and passing information to handlers across the border.

Authorities were also examining claims that he had been instructed to arrange weapons and identify vulnerabilities for future operations.

Adhikari, Other VIPs Allegedly Under Surveillance

Police sources said material recovered during the investigation indicated that information relating to senior political leaders had been compiled, prompting investigators to examine whether specific individuals had been targeted.

Earlier, Suvendu Adhikari had described the case as “extremely sensitive" and said it had national security implications beyond West Bengal. He had also stated that not only he but Minister of State Umesh Rai and several other VIPs had allegedly been under surveillance, while declining to elaborate further as the investigation was in progress.

Investigators are also examining whether Mondal had any connection with threats allegedly received by Umesh Rai, who had complained of extortion calls from a person claiming links with a Pakistani agency and warning of attacks on BJP establishments.

Girlfriend Link Led Investigators To Alleged Honey-Trap Network

The investigation took another turn after the STF arrested Arpita Sarkar from Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district.

Officials said Sarkar was allegedly in regular contact with Mondal through WhatsApp, with investigators recovering chats exchanged between the two.

According to the STF, Mondal allegedly used Sarkar to establish contacts with influential political leaders in West Bengal and collect personal information about them.

An official alleged that Sarkar played a key role in what investigators describe as a “honey-trap" network used to lure targets and gather sensitive information.

“Our investigation suggests that the accused attempted to build a network to access sensitive personal information of certain political personalities.

The woman was allegedly used to develop contacts and facilitate the collection of such information. We are verifying the digital evidence and examining the exact nature of her role," the official said.

Police were also investigating whether the information allegedly collected through these contacts was intended to be used in planning future attacks.

Probe Continues Into Alleged Terror Module

The STF was also reconstructing Mondal’s movements, verifying foreign phone numbers recovered during searches and analysing digital evidence to determine the full extent of the suspected cross-border espionage network.

Investigators were examining whether the alleged module had progressed beyond surveillance and intelligence gathering into preparations for violent activities.

Officials maintained that several aspects of the case were still under verification and that the ongoing forensic examination of electronic devices would be crucial in establishing the complete scope of the suspected network and its alleged foreign links.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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