Nandigram Bypoll: Calcutta HC Grants Interim Bail To Congress Candidate Milan Pradhan In 6 Cases

On September 29, the Calcutta High Court granted Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the Nandigram assembly by-election, interim bail in all six cases registered against him. His lawyer, Ashfak Ahmad, argued that one of the cases dated back 19 years and was related to the Nandigram movement, prompting the court's decision.

Despite the State's opposition, the interim bail remains valid until October 28, subject to certain conditions. The Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury hailed this as a political victory, suggesting there is a reason behind the grant of bail. Ahmad alleged that the government's intention was to prevent Pradhan from campaigning effectively in the by-election, expressing concern over potential vote theft and the weakening of democracy.

The Congress reacted positively to the bail, with West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar stating that "honesty has won" in the legal battle. Milan Pradhan, who was previously arrested in connection with these cases, has been a Congress candidate and has been actively involved in the Nandigram land eviction movement. His wife, Arpita Pradhan, campaigned on his behalf during the campaign, alleging that he was imprisoned on false charges to deter his electoral participation.