Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Jailed Congress Candidate’s Wife Accuses Bengal CM Before Nandigram Bypoll
Milan Pradhan is a Congress candidate in the Nandigram by-election.
He is in jail because of several old criminal cases connected to events in 2007.
His wife, Arpita, says the cases are false and that the Bengal chief minister used his power unfairly.
She also says another person accused in the same case is not in jail.
Since Pradhan cannot campaign, Arpita and their daughter plan to campaign for him.
The by-election is scheduled for October 6.
The Calcutta High Court said police should not take action against Pradhan in one case until October 12.
The court also verbally asked the state to let him contest.
The case has created a dispute between Pradhan’s supporters and the state authorities.
Arpita, wife of jailed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, accused Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari of misusing power and implicating her husband in false cases.
Pradhan was arrested in connection with multiple 19-year-old cases linked to the 2007 anti-land acquisition agitation in Nandigram, including a murder case.
Arpita said she and her daughter would campaign for Pradhan in Nandigram from September 25 because he cannot campaign himself.
The Calcutta High Court directed police not to take action against Pradhan in one 2007 case until October 12 and verbally asked the state to allow him to contest.
The court action followed arguments that Pradhan had been shown as arrested despite the state previously saying he was not wanted in any other case.
- Who
- Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, his wife Arpita, Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, and the Calcutta High Court are central to the dispute.
- What
- Pradhan’s wife accused the chief minister of using official power to keep him jailed before the Nandigram by-election, while the High Court issued directions concerning his arrest and candidacy.
- When
- The allegations and court proceedings occurred on Thursday; campaigning by Pradhan’s family was announced to begin September 25, with polling scheduled for October 6.
- Where
- The press conference was held at Bidhan Bhavan in Kolkata, and the election is in Nandigram, Purba Medinipur district.
- Why
- Pradhan was jailed in connection with old criminal cases related to the 2007 anti-land acquisition agitation; his wife alleges the timing was politically motivated.
Pradhan’s family and supporters
State and legal proceedings
Reason for imprisonment
Pradhan’s family and supporters
Arpita alleged that Pradhan was implicated in false cases and jailed shortly before the election because he is an opposition candidate.
State and legal proceedings
The case against Pradhan concerns multiple old criminal matters, including a murder case, and a lower court had ordered judicial remand in one 2007 case.
Treatment of political rivals
Pradhan’s family and supporters
Arpita argued that Suvendu Adhikari was also accused in the same case but remains free, which she said showed misuse of power.
State and legal proceedings
The articles report that the state had told the High Court that five criminal cases were pending against Pradhan and that he was not wanted in any other case; they do not provide a response from Adhikari to the comparison.
Eligibility to contest
Pradhan’s family and supporters
Pradhan’s lawyer argued that he had been shown as arrested in the Khejuri case despite the state’s earlier statement and sought relief so he could contest.
State and legal proceedings
The High Court directed police not to take steps against Pradhan in that case until October 12 and verbally asked the state to allow him to contest, after noting that no production warrant had been produced.
- Candidate
- Milan Pradhan, a Congress nominee for the Nandigram by-election
- Election date
- October 6
- Family campaign
- Arpita and her daughter said they would campaign from September 25
- Criminal cases
- Multiple 19-year-old cases linked to the 2007 Nandigram anti-land acquisition agitation, including a murder case
- Court action
- The Calcutta High Court directed police not to take steps against Pradhan in one 2007 case until October 12
- Political support
- Mamata Banerjee’s TMC faction backed Pradhan after withdrawing its own candidate; Arpita also thanked Rahul Gandhi
- Remand discrepancy
- One account says custody continued until October 5, while the court report refers to a lower-court remand until October 7