Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Leaves Milan Pradhan’s Interim Bail in Place
The Supreme Court chose not to change a temporary bail order for Milan Pradhan.
Pradhan was the Congress candidate in the Nandigram by-election.
The Calcutta High Court had allowed him to be out of custody so he could contest the election, campaign and take part in counting the votes.
The Supreme Court said the West Bengal government can present its objections to the High Court if Pradhan asks to remain out on bail longer or seeks regular bail.
The government had challenged bail in six criminal cases registered in 2007.
The Supreme Court did not decide whether the accusations in those cases are true.
Reports say the interim bail operates until October 20, with surrender due the next day; one report describes the High Court order as running until October 21.
The Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Calcutta High Court’s interim bail order for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
The High Court granted bail so Pradhan could contest the Nandigram by-election, campaign and participate in vote counting.
The bail was reported as operating until October 20, with Pradhan directed to surrender on October 21; one account describes the High Court order as extending until October 21.
The West Bengal government may raise its objections before the High Court if Pradhan seeks an extension or regular bail.
The government challenged bail in six criminal cases registered in 2007; the Supreme Court expressed no view on the merits of those cases.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, Congress candidate Milan Pradhan and the West Bengal government.
- What
- The Supreme Court declined to interfere with Pradhan’s interim bail and allowed the government to raise objections before the High Court if he seeks further bail.
- When
- The decision was reported on Wednesday. The by-election was held on October 6; the bail was reported as operating until October 20, with surrender due October 21.
- Where
- The case concerns the Nandigram Assembly constituency in West Bengal and proceedings before the Calcutta High Court.
- Why
- The interim bail was granted to enable Pradhan to contest the election, campaign and take part in vote counting.
Pradhan’s election-related bail
Government’s objections
Reason for interim bail
Pradhan’s election-related bail
The High Court granted interim bail to allow Pradhan to contest the election, campaign and participate in vote counting.
Government’s objections
The West Bengal government challenged the bail, citing the pending criminal cases and serious alleged offences; it said it should be able to raise its objections if Pradhan seeks further bail.
Political context
Pradhan’s election-related bail
Opposition parties echoed allegations of vote-loot, voter intimidation, biased conduct by police and security forces, and forcible removal of party agents.
Government’s objections
Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta argued that Pradhan’s arrest was not politically motivated and raised concerns about the serious charges and unexecuted non-bailable warrants.
- Candidate
- Milan Pradhan, Congress candidate for Nandigram
- Supreme Court decision
- Declined to interfere with the Calcutta High Court’s interim bail order
- Bail purpose
- To enable Pradhan to contest the election, campaign and participate in vote counting
- Cases challenged
- Six criminal cases registered in 2007
- Reported bail period
- The order was described as operating until October 20, with surrender on October 21; one account says the High Court granted bail until October 21
- By-election
- Voting took place on October 6; one report says counting was scheduled for October 9
- Next step
- The state may present objections to the High Court if Pradhan seeks an extension or regular bail
- Court’s position
- The Supreme Court said it had expressed no opinion on the merits of the criminal cases
