Milan Pradhan Can Contest Nandigram Bypoll, Calcutta HC Observes

Calcutta High Court's Observation on Milan Pradhan

The Calcutta High Court on September 22 observed that Congress candidate Milan Pradhan should be allowed to contest the upcoming Nandigram Assembly by-election, provided he secures bail in the cases in which he is currently in custody.

The court was hearing Pradhan's plea seeking protection from coercive action in connection with several cases dating back to the 2007 Nandigram land acquisition movement. The West Bengal government informed the court that five of the six cases mentioned in his plea had already been withdrawn or closed, while Pradhan was not an accused in the remaining case.

Milan Pradhan's Arrest and Judicial Custody

Pradhan was arrested on September 18 in connection with cases registered during the 2007 Nandigram movement. According to court proceedings reported by the media, he is currently in judicial custody in five cases, including matters involving warrants that had reportedly been pending since 2021.

A separate case registered under the Arms Act also resulted in a judicial custody order from a Contai court. His lawyers have indicated that they would seek bail in the cases in which he has been arrested.

Government's Submission Before the Court

Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar, representing the West Bengal government, told the court that there were 11 criminal cases against Pradhan. He clarified that the six cases specifically mentioned in Pradhan's plea did not require further protection because five had been withdrawn and Pradhan was not an accused in the sixth.

The state also submitted that the arrests in the other cases were made pursuant to warrants issued by lower courts and that other accused persons against whom warrants were pending had also been arrested.

Nandigram Bypoll Schedule

The Nandigram Assembly by-election is scheduled for October 6, 2026. Campaigning is scheduled to end on October 4, while counting of votes is scheduled for October 9.

Pradhan's continued judicial custody has therefore become an important issue for his campaign, with his ability to campaign depending on the outcome of his bail proceedings.

Court Protection and Next Hearing

The High Court orally directed that no coercive action be taken in relation to the matters covered by Pradhan's plea and listed the case for further consideration on October 12.

Pradhan's lawyer has also raised questions about the timing and circumstances of his arrest and sought information about whether any other cases remain pending against him.

Political Background

The Nandigram seat has been politically significant in West Bengal since the 2007 anti-land-acquisition movement. In the 2026 Assembly election, Suvendu Adhikari won the constituency but subsequently vacated the seat after also winning from Bhabanipur, leading to the announcement of the by-election.

The Congress has fielded Milan Pradhan for the bypoll, while the BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath. The political developments surrounding Pradhan's arrest and the High Court proceedings have added another significant legal dimension to the election.