Ahead of the crucial by-election scheduled for October 6 in West Bengal's Nandigram constituency, Congress candidate Milan Pradhan has been released from judicial custody. The release came a day after the Calcutta High Court granted him interim bail across six criminal cases registered back in 2007. Stepping out of prison, Pradhan made it clear that he will plunge straight into the electoral contest, stating that his immediate focus will be entirely directed toward campaigning across Nandigram.
Three-Week Interim Bail Granted by High Court
The High Court granted Pradhan three weeks of interim bail while directing him to surrender before the court in Haldia on October 21. Among the six pending criminal matters in which relief was provided, five cases originate from Nandigram while one is linked to neighboring Khejuri. Notably, four of these cases involve murder charges. Pradhan had already documented the existence of these legal proceedings in the official affidavit submitted alongside his nomination papers.
Court Scrutiny Over Timing of Custody and Evidence
During the legal arguments, the High Court observed a critical timeline: Pradhan was entirely free and not in custody when he filed his official nomination papers, with his arrest taking place subsequent to that filing. The court further pointed out that the state government failed to place on record any concrete documents or material showing that Pradhan was actively wanted in connection with any criminal offense committed after 2007.
The bench also highlighted that the historical incidents underpinning these first information reports had already been investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Reviewing his record, the court described Pradhan as a political worker who participated in the 2007 movement and remained actively engaged in political and public life thereafter.
Narrow Campaign Window and Protective Orders
With voting in the Nandigram assembly constituency slated for October 6, active campaigning will officially draw to a close on October 4. The Calcutta High Court had earlier observed that the arrested Congress contestant ought to be afforded an adequate and fair opportunity to contest the by-poll.
In a parallel proceeding relating to a 2007 FIR registered at the Khejuri police station in Purba Medinipur district, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya had issued protective directions. The single bench ordered authorities not to treat Pradhan as under arrest until October 7, further instructing the concerned police officials to refrain from taking any coercive steps against him in that case through October 12.
Electoral Contest Against BJP Candidate Hasirani Rath
The ballot battle in Nandigram features a direct face-off with Bharatiya Janata Party nominee Hasirani Rath. The election schedule mandates polling on October 6, followed by the counting of ballots and declaration of results on October 9.
The vacancy in Nandigram arose following political developments after the 2026 assembly elections. Suvendu Adhikari had contested concurrently from two constituencies, Nandigram and Bhabanipur, securing victories in both seats. Following the double win, Adhikari chose to vacate his Nandigram seat, triggering the ongoing by-election process in the high-profile constituency.
