Calcutta HC Grants Interim Bail to Congress’ Nandigram Candidate Milan Pradhan, Backed by Mamata After TMC Withdrawal
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted interim bail to Congress’ Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan until October 20, allowing him to campaign in the October 6 election.
Bail Granted to Contest Bypoll
A single-judge Bench headed by Justice Tirthankar Ghosh granted Pradhan interim bail in all six cases against him, with the court stating that the relief was intended to enable him to contest the election and participate in the campaign.
Pradhan had been in judicial custody in connection with old criminal cases linked to the 2007 Nandigram anti-land acquisition movement.
The court, however, imposed several conditions while granting bail. Pradhan will have to surrender before a district court in Haldia, East Midnapore, after the election process ends.
He has also been directed to contact the concerned police station twice a day, at 8.30 am and 9.30 pm, and speak to the investigating officer during the interim bail period.
Nandigram Bypoll on October 6
Pradhan was arrested on September 18 in connection with old cases linked to the Nandigram agitation. His arrest came shortly after Mamata Banerjee announced that her Trinamool Congress faction would support Congress candidature after her party's candidate withdrawn.
The Nandigram Assembly seat fell vacant after Suvendu Adhikari, who had won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 Assembly election, chose to retain Bhabanipur.
Polling for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly bypolls is scheduled for October 6, with counting set for October 9.
Next Hearing on October 11
The court will hear the matter again on October 11, a day after the current interim bail period is scheduled to expire, according to the latest court proceedings.
The development comes after a series of court proceedings over Pradhan’s custody and his right to contest the bypoll. A division bench had earlier set aside protection granted to him in one of the cases and directed him to seek regular bail through the appropriate legal process.
