4 hrs ago
Bengal government challenges Milan Pradhan’s interim bail in Supreme Court
Milan Pradhan is a Congress candidate contesting an election in Nandigram.
He is also facing several criminal cases, including allegations connected to a murder.
The Calcutta High Court temporarily released him so he could campaign and contest the election.
The court gave him three weeks of bail and ordered him to check in with police twice each day.
The Government of West Bengal disagreed with this decision.
It asked the Supreme Court to review the bail order.
The Supreme Court will hear the case on Monday.
Two people campaigning for Pradhan were also detained, and they said this was meant to stop their campaign work.
The Government of West Bengal challenged Congress candidate Milan Pradhan’s interim bail before the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court accepted the state’s plea and scheduled a hearing for Monday.
The Calcutta High Court granted Pradhan three weeks of interim bail to campaign and contest the election.
The state says Pradhan is accused in a murder case and should not receive special election-related treatment.
Two Congress campaigners were detained in Nandigram, prompting allegations that they were being prevented from campaigning.
- Who
- The Government of West Bengal, Milan Pradhan, the Supreme Court, and the Calcutta High Court are central to the dispute; two Congress campaigners were also detained.
- What
- The state challenged Pradhan’s three-week interim bail order, while the Supreme Court scheduled a hearing for Monday.
- Where
- The legal proceedings are before the Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court; the campaign-related detentions occurred in Nandigram, East Midnapore.
- When
- The High Court granted bail on Tuesday; the state filed its Supreme Court challenge the following day, with the hearing set for Monday.
- Why
- The state argues that Pradhan, an accused in a murder case, should not receive special bail merely to campaign and contest the election.
State’s position
Pradhan’s position
Interim bail for campaigning
State’s position
The state argues that an accused in a murder case should not receive a special concession simply because an election is taking place.
Pradhan’s position
The High Court granted interim bail so Pradhan could campaign and contest the polls, subject to reporting and surrender conditions.
Criminal case allegations
State’s position
The state says Pradhan faces a murder case and referred to earlier Supreme Court directions concerning election-related bail.
Pradhan’s position
The High Court was told that Pradhan was not the main accused in five later cases; Pradhan subsequently sought bail.
Detention of campaigners
State’s position
Police detained Manik Fakir and Sukriti Ranjan, but had not issued a public explanation for the action.
Pradhan’s position
Fakir and Ranjan alleged that they were detained to prevent them from campaigning and reaching voters for Pradhan.
Key facts
- Bail duration
- Three weeks of interim bail
- High Court condition
- Pradhan must surrender before the Haldia court after the election process
- Police reporting
- He must contact the investigating officer through the concerned police station at 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily
- Cases pending
- The High Court order covered six cases pending against Pradhan
- Arrest date
- Pradhan was arrested from Chandipur on September 19
- Supreme Court hearing
- The state’s challenge is scheduled for Monday
- Campaigner detentions
- Manik Fakir and Sukriti Ranjan were detained in Nandigram on Wednesday
Sources
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