The West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) has expanded its investigation into an alleged terror-linked network with the arrest of a woman from Jharkhand who is suspected of assisting an accused operative in gathering sensitive information on political leaders.
The woman, identified as Arpita Sarkar, was arrested from the Barharwa area of Sahibganj district in Jharkhand on Friday and later brought to Purba Bardhaman for further investigation. She is expected to be produced before a court as the probe continues.
Also read: Delhi govt launches one-year free JEE, NEET coaching to Class 12 students with NGO’s help
Her arrest follows the detention of Mohammad Hamim Mondal, who was taken into custody from a rented apartment in Bardhaman town a day earlier. Investigators suspect Mondal to be associated with an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) module believed to have links with an ISI-backed network. Police allege that the network was engaged in collecting intelligence on high-profile individuals, recruiting associates and laying the groundwork for possible terror-related activities in West Bengal.
According to STF officials, Arpita Sarkar was in frequent contact with Mondal through WhatsApp. Investigators have recovered digital conversations between the two, which are now being examined as part of the case. Police believe Sarkar played a role in establishing contacts with influential political figures and collecting personal information about them.
Officials further allege that Sarkar was part of a suspected “honey-trap” operation intended to cultivate relationships with selected targets in order to gain access to sensitive information. The exact extent of her involvement, however, remains under investigation.
“Our investigation indicates that attempts were made to create a network capable of accessing personal information relating to certain political personalities,” an STF official said. Investigators are currently analysing digital evidence to determine how the information was collected and whether it was intended to facilitate future attacks or other unlawful activities.
The investigation has also revealed that Mohammad Hamim Mondal allegedly monitored the movements of senior political figures, including the travel routes and convoy patterns of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, raising concerns over the possible surveillance of protected individuals. Authorities are verifying the recovered digital material to establish the scope of the alleged intelligence-gathering operation.
Responding to questions about the case, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described it as a sensitive matter and said the investigation was being handled by the STF and senior police officers. He added that the accused could have international connections, which are currently being examined.
Also read: CJP’s Dipke rebukes Ramdev, asks him to focus on Patanjali products, alleges pressure to join BJP
Police said Mondal’s ancestral home is in Dirghanagar village in Purba Bardhaman district, while his family had relocated to the rented apartment in Bardhaman shortly before his arrest.
The STF has not disclosed whether additional arrests are expected. Investigators say forensic examination of electronic devices and digital communications is continuing, and further action will depend on the evidence collected. 
Also read: Cops can’t lathicharge people protesting peacefully, says Supreme Court; may fix police guidelines
