Milan Pradhan Case: Calcutta High Court Says No Immediate Direction Needed

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday declined to issue any immediate direction in the case concerning Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, who is in judicial custody in connection with cases linked to the 2007 Nandigram movement.

The court said there was no need for any direction at this stage. Pradhan had approached the High Court seeking protection from coercive action in several other cases while he remains in custody.

What happened in court

Pradhan's lawyers had sought protection in additional cases, expressing concern that he could face further arrest. The matter was taken up before Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya on Tuesday.

The petition followed Pradhan's arrest on September 18 in an old case. A Haldia subdivisional court had subsequently sent him to judicial custody, with the latest order extending custody until October 5 in another case. A separate matter before the Contai court is also pending.

Cases linked to 2007 Nandigram movement

Police have said the cases against Pradhan date back to the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram and include allegations relating to murder, attempt to murder, abduction, destruction of evidence, trespass and offences involving weapons. These are allegations recorded in the cases and have not been treated as established facts by the court.

Nandigram by-election context

Pradhan is contesting the October 6 Nandigram Assembly by-election as the Congress candidate. The last day of campaigning is October 4. The legal proceedings have therefore become an important part of the election's current context.

The High Court's latest position, as reported on September 22, is that no immediate direction is required in the matter.