SC refuses to interfere with Milan Pradhan’s interim bail for Nandigram bypoll

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to interfere with the Calcutta High Court order granting interim bail to Congress’ Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan to enable him to campaign and participate in the election process.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana allowed the West Bengal government to raise its objections before the high court if Pradhan seeks an extension of the interim bail in the criminal cases pending against him.

The bench noted that the Nandigram bypoll was held on October 6 and votes will be counted on October 9. While the cases against Pradhan involve serious offences, the interim bail was granted essentially to enable him to contest the election and participate in the counting, it said. The court clarified that it had not expressed any opinion on the merits of the cases.

The Supreme Court had on September 30 agreed to hear the West Bengal government’s challenge to the interim bail granted to Pradhan in six criminal cases dating back to 2007.

The Calcutta High Court had on September 29 granted him interim bail until October 20 and directed him to surrender before the trial court on October 21. It also ordered him to furnish a Rs 20,000 bail bond in each of the six cases.

The cases, involving charges including murder, attempt to murder and violations of the Arms Act, were registered during the 2007 Nandigram anti-land acquisition movement. Pradhan was arrested on September 18 in connection with four cases registered at Nandigram police station and two at neighbouring Khejuri.

The high court also directed Pradhan to share his mobile number with the investigating officer, who could call him twice a day. His lawyer had said he was arrested after filing his nomination on September 15 and sought interim bail to allow him to campaign and participate in the election.