Kolkata High Court Denies Relief to Congress Candidate Milan Pradhan Ahead of Nandigram By-Election

Kolkata, September 22 (Daily Kiran) : The Kolkata High Court has declined to intervene in the case of Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the upcoming Nandigram by-election. This decision came from a single-judge bench on Tuesday, September 22.

Pradhan had sought protection related to five cases filed against him in 2007. Currently, he is in judicial custody due to two other cases, following separate orders from a district court in West Bengal. In one of these cases, he has been remanded in custody until October 3, while another case has him detained until October 5. The district judge has instructed the police to present him in court on September 23.

Through his lawyer, Pradhan approached the High Court, requesting interim protection from punitive actions by the police linked to the land acquisition movement in Nandigram during the Left Front government. The brief hearing took place on Tuesday afternoon, where Justice Sougata Bhattacharya refused to grant the requested intervention, stating that no High Court directive was necessary for the five cases.

During the proceedings, Pradhan’s attorney, Ayan Bhattacharya, argued that the manner of his client’s arrest—especially so close to the by-election—indicates an attempt by the state administration to undermine the democratic process. In response, the state’s lawyer, Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar, contended that Pradhan’s arrest was in accordance with instructions to execute all pending non-bailable warrants before the election.

The by-elections for Nandigram and the Rejinagar assembly seat in Murshidabad district are scheduled for October 6, with the counting of votes set for October 9. Pradhan was arrested on the evening of September 18.