Calcutta HC Grants Interim Bail to Congress Nandigram Candidate Milan Pradhan

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh granted Pradhan interim bail while noting that the relief would enable him to contest the election and participate in the campaign process like the other candidates. The latest court order provides relief until October 20, with reports on the order stating that he will have to surrender before a court in Haldia on October 21.

Pradhan had been in judicial custody in connection with cases arising from the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram, including old murder cases. He was arrested on September 18, shortly after being named the Congress candidate for the bypoll.

The court has imposed conditions along with the interim bail. Pradhan will be required to surrender before the Haldia court after the election process and report to the concerned police station twice a day during the period of interim relief. He is also required to remain in contact with the investigating officer.

The development comes ahead of the October 6 bypoll in Nandigram. Counting of votes is scheduled for October 9. The seat fell vacant after Suvendu Adhikari, who had won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the Assembly elections earlier this year, chose to retain Bhabanipur.

Pradhan's arrest had become a political issue in the run-up to the bypoll. The Congress had raised objections over the timing of the arrest, while the legal proceedings continued through multiple benches of the Calcutta High Court.

Earlier, a single-judge Bench had provided Pradhan protection from coercive action in one of the cases and indicated that he should be allowed to contest the election. A Division Bench subsequently set aside that protection and directed him to pursue the regular legal process for bail.

The Congress candidate's latest interim bail order follows hearings covering the six cases. The West Bengal government had opposed his bail plea, citing the nature of the allegations in the cases, while Pradhan's side sought temporary release specifically to enable him to participate in the election campaign.

Pradhan's candidature also came after the Trinamool Congress withdrew its candidate, Sanchita Dey Pradhan, from the Nandigram contest. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee subsequently announced support for the Congress candidate, bringing the two parties together in the bypoll contest.

With the court granting interim bail, Pradhan will now be able to campaign ahead of the October 6 election, subject to the conditions imposed by the High Court.