Nandigram Bypoll
Nandigram bypoll shock: Calcutta HC shields Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in 2007 case, but will he walk free?
Kolkata/IBNS: In a partial relief for Congress' Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed that he not be treated as arrested in a 2007 Khejuri case and ordered police not to take further steps against him in the case until October 12.
The court also reiterated that Pradhan should be allowed to contest the October 6 Nandigram bypoll.
HC relief in 2007 Khejuri case
Pradhan had been taken into custody in connection with several old cases dating back to the 2007 Nandigram land-acquisition agitation.
On Wednesday, a Contai court had remanded him to judicial custody until October 7 in another 2007 case.
The latest High Court intervention followed arguments that the State had not disclosed the pendency of the Khejuri case during earlier proceedings. The court expressed surprise over the issue.
However, Thursday's order does not automatically mean Pradhan will be released from custody, as he remains involved in other cases.
The High Court's order does not immediately secure Pradhan's release, as he remains in custody in other cases.
His release will depend on the outcome of proceedings concerning those cases and the State's challenge to Thursday's order.
Mamata faction backs Congress candidate
The development comes after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's faction announced support for Pradhan after her own Nandigram candidate, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, withdrew her candidature.
The move effectively brought the Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and Congress onto the same side in the Nandigram bypoll.
Congress alleges political intimidation
Congress has alleged that Pradhan's arrest was an attempt to intimidate the Opposition and accused the BJP of misusing the state police.
Congress leader KC Venugopal wrote on X that the development was the BJP's latest attempt to create an "Opposition-Mukt Bharat", alleging that India's constitutional democracy was being turned into a "Banana Republic".
“Using a dormant 19-year-old case from 2007 to arrest our candidate - minutes after...” Venugopal wrote, alleging that the arrest was politically motivated.
Congress further alleged that such actions were intended to intimidate its candidates and weaken the Opposition.
Nandigram bypoll on October 6
The Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly bypolls are scheduled for October 6, while counting of votes will take place on October 9.
Campaigning for the bypolls will end on October 4.
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