West Bengal appeal against Milan Pradhan will be dismissed, indicates Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday indicated that it would dismiss the West Bengal government's challenge to the Calcutta High Court order granting interim bail to Congress' Nandigram candidate Milan Pradhan.

A three-member bench of CJI Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana declined the state's request for an urgent hearing on Thursday, saying the court's board was already lengthy. "We will surely dismiss this, but we will dismiss it on Monday, not tomorrow," CJI Kant verbally remarked.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for West Bengal, sought urgent listing of the challenge, pointing out that Pradhan was facing a case under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.


"He is in a section 302 case (murder). He has been granted bail for election. Can I take a chance tomorrow? That's all I'm saying," Mehta said. The bench, however, declined to advance the matter. "No. Monday," CJI said when the request for listing on Thursday was repeated.

The state's challenge arises from the high court's September 29 order granting Pradhan interim bail in six criminal cases arising from violence during the 2007 Nandigram land acquisition protests. HC has permitted Pradhan to contest the October 6 assembly bypoll.