Suvendu govt challenges bail for Nandigram’s Congress candidate:SC says plea will be dismissed, but not until Monday

The BJP-led West Bengal government approached the Supreme Court on Wednesday against the interim bail granted to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in the by-election for the Nandigram Assembly seat. Appearing for the government, the Solicitor General told the court that Milan Pradhan had been arrested in a murder case. The High Court granted him interim bail on the grounds that he had to contest the election. Therefore, the case should be heard urgently. Commenting on this, Chief Justice Suryakant said, “Several cases are already listed for hearing tomorrow. We can assure you that your petition will be dismissed, but we will do so not tomorrow, but on Monday, 5 October.” High Court grants interim bail until 20 October, subject to conditions Pradhan has been granted interim bail in six criminal cases registered in 2007. The charges include murder, attempted murder and violations of the Arms Act. The Calcutta High Court granted him interim bail until 20 October on 29 September. This will allow him to campaign for the Nandigram by-election to be held on 6 October. The High Court has directed Milan Pradhan to surrender before the trial court on 21 October. He will have to furnish a ₹20,000 bail bond in each of the six criminal cases. The court has also directed Pradhan to provide his mobile number to the investigating officer. The investigating officer will be able to call the candidate twice a day. By-election after Adhikari vacated the seat Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari won the Nandigram seat in the 2026 Assembly elections. He also won the Bhawanipur seat in Kolkata. Suvendu Adhikari subsequently vacated the Nandigram seat. The Election Commission announced a by-election for this seat. Nandigram has held a special place in Bengal politics Nandigram has held a special place in West Bengal politics. Suvendu Adhikari helped in the anti-land acquisition movement led by Mamata Banerjee in 2007. The Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, came to power in 2011 after ousting the 34-year-old Left Front government. The Nandigram movement is counted among the major developments linked to this political change. Subhendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee by 1,956 votes from the Nandigram seat in the 2021 Assembly election.