Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Calcutta High Court Grants Milan Pradhan Interim Bail
Milan Pradhan is the Congress candidate in the Nandigram election.
Police arrested him over several old cases connected to protests in 2007.
The accusations include very serious crimes, such as murder and breaking weapons laws.
The Calcutta High Court has temporarily allowed him to leave custody.
This lets him campaign before voting on October 6.
The court said he was arrested after submitting his election papers and that the cases were nearly 19 years old.
Pradhan must provide money as a bail bond for each case.
He must also return to the Haldia court on October 21.
Different reports give different dates for when the temporary bail ends.
The Calcutta High Court granted Congress candidate Milan Pradhan interim bail in six criminal cases dating to the 2007 Nandigram movement.
Pradhan was arrested on September 18 after filing his nomination, in cases involving allegations including murder, attempted murder, rioting, kidnapping, intimidation and Arms Act violations.
The court said the state had not shown that Pradhan was wanted in any offence after 2007 and noted that police had years to execute the warrants.
He must furnish a Rs 20,000 bail bond in each case and surrender before the Haldia trial court on October 21.
The bail allows Pradhan to campaign in the October 6 bypoll; reports differ on whether the interim relief ends October 20, 21, 26 or 28.
- Who
- Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll, received interim bail from the Calcutta High Court.
- What
- The court granted Pradhan interim bail in six criminal cases registered in 2007, subject to bail bonds and a requirement to surrender.
- When
- The order was issued on September 29, 2026; Pradhan was arrested on September 18, polling is scheduled for October 6, and campaigning ends October 4.
- Where
- The case was heard in the Calcutta High Court, and Pradhan must surrender before the Haldia trial court.
- Why
- The court considered that Pradhan was arrested after filing his nomination, that the cases were nearly 19 years old, and that the election was approaching.
Pradhan’s Defence and Congress
State and Political Opponents
Purpose and timing of the arrest
Pradhan’s Defence and Congress
Pradhan’s lawyer, wife and Congress leaders alleged that old cases were revived or used to prevent him from contesting and campaigning, calling the action politically motivated.
State and Political Opponents
Police and the state relied on pending non-bailable warrants and serious criminal allegations; police also said Pradhan had evaded the legal process and had been named an absconder in chargesheets.
Basis for interim bail
Pradhan’s Defence and Congress
The defence argued that the cases were nearly 19 years old and that Pradhan should be allowed to contest and campaign in the approaching bypoll.
State and Political Opponents
The state strongly opposed bail while the criminal proceedings and warrants remained active, although the court said the state had not shown that Pradhan was wanted after 2007.
Challenge to the BJP candidate
Pradhan’s Defence and Congress
Congress sought cancellation of BJP candidate Hasirani Rath’s nomination, questioning an age and education detail in her election affidavit.
State and Political Opponents
The High Court dismissed the petition, holding that no objection had been filed with the Election Commission before the nomination period ended; BJP leaders welcomed the ruling.
- Candidate
- Milan Pradhan of the Congress
- Cases
- Six criminal cases registered in 2007
- Allegations
- Murder, attempted murder, rioting, kidnapping, criminal intimidation and violations of the Arms Act
- Arrest
- September 18, 2026, in connection with pending non-bailable warrants
- Election schedule
- Polling on October 6, campaigning ends October 4, and counting is scheduled for October 9
- Bail condition
- A Rs 20,000 bail bond in each of the six cases
- Surrender
- Pradhan must surrender before the Haldia trial court on October 21
- Relief period
- Reports variously state that interim bail lasts until October 20, October 21, October 26 or October 28
Sources
Congress Nandigram candidate granted interim bail to campaign for October 6 bye-poll
High Court Relief For Congress Candidate Ahead Of Nandigram Bypoll
Nandigram Bypoll: Calcutta HC Grants Interim Bail To Congress Candidate, Dismisses Plea Against BJP Rival
Calcutta High Court grants interim bail to Congress Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan - Telegraph India
Nandigram Bypoll: Calcutta HC Grants Interim Bail To Cong Candidate, Relief To His Rival Too
Milan Pradhan Gets Relief Ahead Of Nandigram Bypoll As Calcutta HC Grants Him Interim Bail
Nandigram Bypoll: Calcutta HC Grants Interim Bail To Congress Candidate Milan Pradhan In 6 Cases
