Nandigram Congress Candidate Milan Pradhan Moves Calcutta High Court Against Arrest

Congress candidate from Nandigram Milan Pradhan has approached the Calcutta High Court challenging his arrest and seeking protection from coercive action in five additional criminal cases. The court is scheduled to hear the matter on September 22.

What happened

Pradhan was arrested on September 18 in connection with an old case dating to the 2007 Nandigram land-acquisition movement. A Haldia court subsequently sent him to judicial custody until October 3. Reports say he is already in custody in connection with five cases, while the latest High Court plea concerns five additional cases.

His lawyer told the High Court that Pradhan is contesting the Nandigram Assembly by-election scheduled for October 6 and sought protection from coercive action so that the legal proceedings do not prevent him from exercising his rights as a candidate. Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya allowed the petition to be filed and listed it for hearing on Tuesday.

Background

Police have linked the cases to allegations arising from the 2007 Nandigram movement, including murder-related charges and other offences. The latest court proceedings concern the request for protection in five additional cases. Any relief will depend on the High Court's hearing and further judicial orders.