Calcutta High Court Grants Interim Bail to Congress Candidate Milan Pradhan

Defense counsel Ashfak Ahmad secured the release after arguing that the state’s aggressive legal pursuit was a strategic attempt to stifle the Congress campaign. Ahmad contended that the revival of a nearly two-decade-old case against Pradhan—while other prominent figures involved in the same protests, including the current Chief Minister, remain untouched—points to clear political bias. The court imposed specific conditions on the bail, allowing Pradhan to exit custody despite strong opposition from the state government.

West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar hailed the court’s decision as a victory for justice, framing the legal challenge as an attempt to undermine democratic processes in Nandigram. During his incarceration, Pradhan’s wife, Arpita Pradhan, spearheaded his campaign efforts, asserting that her husband was being targeted specifically for his refusal to abandon the party. With the by-election approaching, the bail order removes a significant hurdle for the Congress, enabling the candidate to physically join the final push for votes.