Terror Suspect Allegedly Targeted Suvendu Adhikari, Planned Jantar Mantar Infiltration

New Delhi, August 02, 2026 A terror investigation in West Bengal has revealed alleged plans to target Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and disrupt a recent protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The state Special Task Force (STF) arrested Hamim Mondal from Purba Bardhaman, alleging that he was connected with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad operatives and had received instructions from handlers across the border. STF Inspector General Gaurav Sharma said Mondal was allegedly told to enter the Jantar Mantar protest site wearing a police uniform and create disturbances. "Pakistani handlers asked Hamim Mondal to infiltrate the student protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi while dressed in a police uniform and carry out disturbances" he told a press conference. The STF also alleged that Mondal had been tasked with monitoring the Chief Minister’s movements and identifying places where he could be left unguarded. "The chief minister was one of the targets," said Sharma. "Hamim was asked to gather information on the places the chief minister could remain unguarded," the senior official added. The investigation also led to the arrest of Mondal’s girlfriend, Arpita Sarkar, from Jharkhand. According to officials, the two allegedly planned to honeytrap and kidnap state minister Umesh Ray’s son and demand money from his family. Police claimed Sarkar had targeted several prominent individuals, including politicians, to collect information and pass it to Mondal. Investigators also recovered international SIM cards issued in the UK and Mexico and found alleged Pakistan links in Sarkar’s WhatsApp chats. The STF said Mondal was allegedly radicalised through social media before working with Pakistan-based operatives. Investigators have identified suspected handlers linked to the Shahzad Bhatti gang and are examining possible connections with radicalisation, terror recruitment and narco-terror activities. Mondal and Sarkar reportedly met on Instagram and had been in a relationship for four years. The STF is continuing its probe to uncover the wider network, its members and cross-border links.