SC Declines Urgent Hearing on Bengal Police Plea Against Milan Pradhan’s Interim Bail

The matter was mentioned before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta seeking that the plea be listed for hearing on Thursday on behalf of the West Bengal government.

Mehta argued that any hearing after the election could make the plea ineffective, as the interim bail was specifically granted to enable Pradhan to contest the bypoll.

“He has been granted bail for the election. Can I take a chance tomorrow? That's all I'm saying,” the Solicitor General submitted.

The Chief Justice, however, declined to list the matter on Thursday, citing the already heavy board of cases before the court.

“Our board is very lengthy. We will surely dismiss this, but we will dismiss it on Monday, not tomorrow,” CJI Surya Kant said.

When Mehta made a further request for an urgent hearing, the Chief Justice reiterated that the matter would be taken up on Monday.

The West Bengal Police have challenged the interim bail granted to Pradhan by a single-judge Bench of the Calcutta High Court.

On Tuesday, Justice Tirthankar Ghosh granted Pradhan interim bail until October 20, specifically allowing him to contest the Nandigram bypoll and participate in the election campaign.

The High Court clarified that the bail order would apply to all six cases registered against Pradhan.

Pradhan had been in judicial custody in connection with two murder cases registered in 2007 during the anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram under the Left Front government. His judicial custody had otherwise been scheduled to continue until October 5.

The High Court imposed several conditions while granting interim relief. Pradhan has been directed to surrender before a district court in Haldia, East Midnapore, immediately after the election process concludes.

He must also report to the concerned police station twice a day, at 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., and remain in contact with the investigating officer throughout the interim bail period.

The High Court is scheduled to take up the matter again on October 11, a day after the interim bail period ends.

Pradhan was arrested on September 18, shortly after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her Trinamool Congress faction would support the Congress candidate in the Nandigram bypoll. The announcement followed the withdrawal of Trinamool Congress candidate Sanchita Dey Pradhan from the contest.

The Nandigram Assembly seat fell vacant after incumbent MLA Suvendu Adhikari, who had won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year, retained the Bhabanipur seat.

The Nandigram bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with counting of votes set for October 9.