1 day ago
State Says Five Old Cases Against Nandigram Congress Candidate Inactive
Milan Pradhan is the Congress candidate in the Nandigram election.
He asked the Calcutta High Court for protection from several old criminal cases.
The state government said five of those cases had already been withdrawn or closed.
It also said Pradhan was not named as an accused in one other case.
The court did not make an order on his request.
Pradhan was arrested last week in connection with other cases.
The reports separately mention a 19-year-old murder case that was not among the five cases being discussed in court.
An East Midnapore court ordered that he remain in custody until October 5.
The campaign ends on October 3, so he may not be able to campaign while detained.
The West Bengal government told Calcutta High Court that five old cases involving Congress candidate Milan Pradhan had been withdrawn or closed during the previous government’s tenure.
The state said 11 cases had been filed against Pradhan, while his name did not appear as an accused in one additional FIR.
Pradhan sought protection and quashing of proceedings after fearing coercive action in the old cases.
The court passed no order on his petition after hearing the state’s submissions.
Pradhan was remanded to custody until October 5, potentially preventing him from campaigning before the October 3 deadline for the October 6 bypoll.
- Who
- Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, the West Bengal government, and the Calcutta High Court.
- What
- The state reported that five old cases involving Pradhan were inactive, withdrawn, or closed, while the court issued no order on his petition seeking protection and quashing of proceedings.
- Where
- The petition was heard in the Calcutta High Court, and the custody order was issued by an East Midnapore trial court.
- When
- The state made its submission on Tuesday; Pradhan was arrested the previous week and remanded until October 5. Campaigning ends October 3, before the October 6 bypoll.
- Why
- Pradhan sought protection because he feared coercive action in old cases; the state said five of those cases were already inactive or withdrawn.
Pradhan’s Position
State Government’s Position
Fear of coercive action
Pradhan’s Position
Pradhan’s lawyer said he feared coercive action over cases lodged against him long ago.
State Government’s Position
The state counsel said the five cases had already been made inactive, withdrawn, or closed.
Request for court protection
Pradhan’s Position
Pradhan asked the High Court for protection and for the proceedings to be quashed.
State Government’s Position
The state said there was no current basis for action in the five cases because they were already inactive; the court issued no order on the petition.
Impact on campaigning
Pradhan’s Position
Pradhan’s continued custody could prevent him from campaigning before the October 3 deadline.
State Government’s Position
The state’s submissions concerned the status of the old cases, while the custody order was made by an East Midnapore trial court.
Key facts
- Candidate
- Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the Nandigram bypoll
- Cases registered
- The state said 11 cases had been filed against Pradhan
- Five old cases
- The state said five cases had been withdrawn or closed during the previous government’s tenure
- Additional FIR
- The state said Pradhan was not named as an accused in one other FIR
- Court action
- The Calcutta High Court passed no order on Pradhan’s petition
- Custody
- An East Midnapore trial court remanded Pradhan until October 5
- Election dates
- Campaigning ends October 3 and the bypoll is scheduled for October 6
Quotes
Ayan Bhattacharya
Advocate representing Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in the High Court petition
“My client is apprehending that coercive actions will be taken against him following the cases lodged against him long ago.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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