Milan Pradhan seeks bail from Calcutta High Court

The West Bengal Congress has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking bail for Milan Pradhan, the party’s candidate for the upcoming Nandigram Assembly by-election. Pradhan is currently in judicial custody following orders from district courts in connection with older cases, including a 2007 murder case and charges involving illegal weapons.

Pradhan’s legal counsel moved the petition before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, requesting an urgent hearing due to the by-election scheduled for October 6. While the court has admitted the petition and is expected to hear the matter later this week, no interim orders were granted during previous hearings.

The arrest occurred on September 18, shortly after the Congress announced Pradhan as their candidate and following an announcement by Mamata Banerjee that her Trinamool Congress faction would support the Congress candidate in the constituency. The legal proceedings have become a central issue in the local political contest.