States » EastPosted at: Sep 24 2026 3:37PM


Calcutta HC relief for Nandigram Congress candidate Milan Pradhan; police barred from fresh action

Kolkata, Sep 24 (UNI) Congress candidate for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll, Milan Pradhan, received some relief from the Calcutta High Court on Thursday after his counsel informed the court that police had initiated proceedings in another old case against him.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharya directed that no further coercive action be taken against Pradhan in the fresh case until 12 October.
The order also prevents the police from arresting him in connection with the case during this period. The matter will be taken up again on October 12.
Pradhan had approached the High Court seeking protection after he was arrested in connection with cases dating back to the 2007 anti-land acquisition agitation in Nandigram.
He was picked up from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur on September 18 based on pending non-bailable warrants. Police said the cases involved allegations including murder, attempt to murder, rioting, criminal intimidation and other offences.
At present, Pradhan is in judicial custody in connection with cases registered at Nandigram and Khejuri police stations.
His arrest and subsequent custody had triggered a political controversy, with the Congress alleging that the action was aimed at keeping its candidate away from the election campaign. The police, however, have maintained that the action was based on pending warrants in old cases.
At a Press conference organised by the West Bengal Pradesh Congress at Bidhan Bhavan on Thursday, Pradhan’s wife, Arpita Pradhan, questioned the timing of her husband’s arrest.
She alleged that people who were named as principal accused in the original case were still moving freely, while her husband had been arrested.
“Is doing opposition politics a crime? He has a family and children. He has been kept in jail in an inhuman manner. Is this an example of democracy?” she asked.
Arpita also demanded an explanation from the state government over why other accused in the 2007 cases had not faced similar action. She alleged that her husband’s arrest was intended to keep him away from the electoral contest.
Meanwhile, campaigning continued in neighbouring Rejinagar, where CPIM state secretary Mohammed Salim campaigned for the Left-backed candidate Mohammed Saeed.
Salim, accompanied by party leader Afrin Begum Shilpi, visited shops in Rejinagar market and interacted with locals as part of the campaign. A public meeting was scheduled later in the day.
The Nandigram bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with the result due on October 9. Pradhan’s legal battle over the old cases has added another layer to an already closely watched electoral contest. UNI RC NST SAS
Tags: #Calcutta HC relief for Nandigram Congress candidate Milan Pradhan; police barred from fresh action
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