Nandigram Bypoll: Congress Candidate Milan Pradhan Sent to Judicial Custody Till October 3, Campaign Hit

Nandigram Bypoll 2026: Milan Pradhan in Judicial Custody

KOLKATA: Congress candidate Milan Pradhan has been sent to judicial custody until October 3 in connection with multiple cases dating back to the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram, putting him out of the campaign trail just days before the October 6 Assembly by-election.

Pradhan was produced before the Haldia Subdivisional Court on Saturday, a day after his arrest. The court rejected his bail plea and remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days in connection with three of the pending warrants. He is scheduled to be produced before a Contai court on Monday in connection with another warrant, according to his counsel.

Why Was Milan Pradhan Arrested?

According to the West Bengal Police, Pradhan was arrested on the basis of four pending non-bailable arrest warrants issued by courts in connection with cases registered at Nandigram and Khejuri police stations.

Police said the cases involve serious allegations including murder, attempt to murder, abduction with intent to murder, causing disappearance of evidence, house trespass and rioting with arms and deadly weapons. Relevant provisions of the Arms Act have also been invoked, according to the police.

The prosecution told the court that Pradhan had allegedly been absconding for around 19 years and that police had been unable to trace him earlier. His lawyer disputed the circumstances and said the warrants dated back to the 2007 cases.

The allegations are part of pending criminal proceedings; the custody order does not amount to a finding of guilt.

How Does the Custody Affect the Nandigram Campaign?

The timing of the court order has a direct impact on Pradhan's election campaign. Voting for the Nandigram Assembly seat is scheduled for October 6, while campaigning is due to end on October 4.

Since Pradhan is expected to remain in judicial custody until October 3, he will have little or no opportunity to campaign personally during the final days of the election. The custody does not, by itself, disqualify him from contesting the election, according to reports.

Arrest Came After Mamata Banerjee's Support

Pradhan's arrest came hours after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced support for his candidature.

The development followed the withdrawal of Sanchita Pradhan Dey, who had been fielded by the Trinamool Congress faction led by Banerjee. After her withdrawal, Banerjee's faction extended support to the Congress candidate for the Nandigram bypoll.

The sequence of events has triggered a political dispute over the timing of the arrest.

Congress Questions Timing, BJP Rejects Allegations

West Bengal Congress leaders have questioned why the pending warrants were executed at this stage of the election campaign. State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar said the party would continue campaigning in Nandigram even if Pradhan remained in custody.

Congress and Banerjee's faction have alleged that the arrest is politically motivated. These are political allegations and have not been established by a court.

The BJP has rejected the allegations, maintaining that the arrest relates to pending criminal cases rather than the election. The state police has also said that execution of long-pending non-bailable warrants during an election is part of the legal process.

Nandigram Bypoll Schedule

The Nandigram Assembly seat became vacant after Suvendu Adhikari resigned from the constituency and retained Bhabanipur following the 2026 Assembly election. The bypoll is scheduled for October 6, 2026, with campaigning ending two days earlier.

The latest developments have added another legal and political dimension to an already closely watched by-election in Nandigram.