1 hr ago
Congress Nandigram Candidate Milan Pradhan Sent to Custody
Milan Pradhan is a Congress candidate in an election in Nandigram.
A court has ordered him to remain in judicial custody until October 3.
Police arrested him over old cases connected to protests in 2007.
The allegations include rioting, murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and threats.
Police said there were four arrest warrants against him.
His lawyer said three warrants were handled in one court and another would be heard separately.
Congress and Mamata Banerjee’s faction said the arrest was meant to hurt the opposition before the election.
The BJP said police were acting on an existing criminal case.
A West Bengal court sent Congress Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan to judicial custody until October 3.
Police arrested Pradhan based on four pending warrants tied to alleged rioting, murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and criminal intimidation cases.
The cases arose from the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram, and police also cited Arms Act provisions.
Pradhan’s counsel said three warrants were being handled by Nandigram police, while a fourth would be presented before a Contai court.
Congress and Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress faction alleged political targeting, while the BJP said the arrest involved a pending criminal case.
- Who
- Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll, was arrested by West Bengal Police.
- What
- A local court remanded Pradhan to judicial custody until October 3 over multiple pending warrants and criminal cases.
- Where
- The proceedings involved the Haldia Subdivisional Court, Nandigram and Khejuri police stations, and a planned appearance before the Contai court in West Bengal.
- When
- He was arrested on Friday and produced in court on September 19; the cases date to 2007, and the bypoll is scheduled for October 6.
- Why
- Police said the arrest was based on four pending warrants in non-bailable cases; opposition groups alleged it was politically motivated ahead of the bypoll.
Opposition Targeting Claim
Pending Case Enforcement
Reason for arrest
Opposition Targeting Claim
Congress and Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress faction alleged that the cases were being used to target the opposition before the Nandigram bypoll.
Pending Case Enforcement
The BJP said the arrest was connected to a pending criminal case rather than political targeting.
Timing of police action
Opposition Targeting Claim
The arrest came shortly after Mamata Banerjee announced support for Pradhan, which opposition groups cited as evidence of political motivation.
Pending Case Enforcement
Police said Pradhan was arrested after authorities were able to locate him, following years in which they said he could not be traced.
Key facts
- Accused
- Milan Pradhan
- Court order
- Judicial custody until October 3
- Arrest warrants
- Four pending warrants
- Alleged charges
- Rioting, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and criminal intimidation
- Related movement
- The 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram
- Upcoming election
- Nandigram Assembly bypoll on October 6
- Political dispute
- Opposition groups alleged targeting; the BJP denied the allegation
Quotes
Counsel for Milan Pradhan
A lawyer representing Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
“The timing (of the arrest) raises serious questions and is the usual BJP formula: dig out an old case. But why now? Just after we announced support to the Congress! The BJP’s politics of vendetta and atrocities show a clear pattern. With manipulation, with vote loot, with intimidation, the election agency-BJP partnership is killing democracy every day.”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
“The arrested person had been absconding and evading the due process of law for 19 years since 2007 and stands chargesheeted in the cases concerned as an absconder. Repeated attempts to execute the warrants had failed in the past, and non-execution reports had been duly submitted to the concerned courts from time to time.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Bengal: Cong’s Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan sent to judicial custody till Oct 3
Congress' Nandigram Bypoll Pick Milan Pradhan Sent To Judicial Custody Till October 3
Cong’s Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan sent to judicial custody till Oct 3
Cong's Nandigram candidate sent to 14-day custody in 19-yr-old case
Nandigram Congress candidate Milan Pradhan out of poll campaign after court sends him to custody till October 3
Related news
Congress vows to retain Nandigram candidate after arrest
Nandigram Congress Candidate Arrested After Mamata Support Announcement
Rahul Gandhi Calls Nandigram Candidate Arrest Political Revenge
Nandigram Bypoll Upended as TMC Candidate Quits, Congress Nominee Arrested
Nandigram Candidate Withdraws, Congress Nominee Arrested After Mamata’s Support
Sibal Alleges Election Commission-BJP Nexus Over Bengal Bypolls
Mamata Banerjee Backs Congress in Nandigram, Completing Political Circle
Opposition Attacks BJP Over Arrest and Trinamool Symbol Freeze
