Milan Pradhan can contest Nandigram bypoll, Calcutta HC observes

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday recorded West Bengal government's submission that five of the six cases being challenged by Congress' Nandigram bypoll candidate, Milan Pradhan, had been closed. HC, in a verbal observation, directed Pradhan to contest the polls. The observation comes as a relief to Pradhan, who is currently in jail following his arrest, prompting many of his supporters, including West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Subhankar Sarkar, to urge voters of Nandigram to vote for Pradhan.

"I will urge all the voters of Nandigram to vote for Congress candidate, who is lodged in jail. We drew the attention of the Calcutta HC on the cases against Pradhan. We welcome the court's observation."

It was also said that Pradhan was not an accused in the remaining case, in connection with incidents dating back to 2007.


"The cases related to the Nandigram movement in 2007 where Suvendu Adhikari also fought. Milan Pradhan was also part of the movement. When Milan Pradhan became the Nandigram candidate, he got arrested. BJP is scared of Pradhan as he has a special place in the hearts of all the people in Nandigram," Sarkar said.

Pradhan's advocate Ajitesh Pandey said, "We sought protection to ensure that Pradhan is not harassed in any case. We also apprised the court of the manner of his arrest and how he was picked up, taken to a private hotel, and subjected to pressure... The way he was picked up and taken away, then pressurised - this isn't a movie. There is a proper legal procedure. He is not a dreaded criminal and if a warrant is to be executed, the person should be taken to jail. We have informed the court. What was the reason for taking him to a private hotel? The police need to explain this...We have received protection till Oct 12." Pandey said they will move bail for Pradhan in the cases for which he has been arrested.