MILAN PRADHAN GRANTED INTERIM BAIL BY CALCUTTA HIGH COURT

September 29, 2026

The Calcutta High Court has granted interim bail to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in connection with six criminal cases dating back to the 2007 Nandigram land-acquisition agitation, allowing him to campaign in the October 6 Assembly bypoll.

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh granted the interim relief until October 20 and directed Pradhan to surrender before the Haldia trial court on October 21. He was also directed to furnish bail bonds of ₹20,000 in each of the six cases.

Pradhan was arrested on September 18 in connection with the old cases, which include allegations of murder, attempt to murder and offences under the Arms Act. The cases originated during the 2007 anti-land-acquisition agitation in Nandigram.

The High Court considered the age of the cases and the circumstances surrounding Pradhan’s arrest, including the fact that he was not in custody when he filed his nomination. The court also noted that the cases had previously been investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The development comes after earlier proceedings in which a Division Bench had set aside interim protection granted to Pradhan in one of the cases and directed him to pursue regular bail. The latest order provides temporary relief covering the six cases and enables him to participate in the election campaign before the October 4 campaign deadline.

The Nandigram bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with counting of votes due on October 9. Pradhan’s bail remains subject to the conditions imposed by the High Court and the subsequent proceedings in the underlying criminal cases.