The Calcutta High Court on September 29, 2026, granted three weeks’ interim bail to Milan Pradhan in six criminal cases dating back to the 2007 Nandigram land agitation. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh passed separate orders in the bail applications, allowing Pradhan an opportunity to contest the ongoing election. The principal proceedings included Nandigram Police Station Case No. 221 of 2007.
Background
The cases arose from incidents connected with the 2007 agitation over the proposed acquisition of land at Nandigram. The petitioner’s counsel argued that Pradhan had been arrested only after filing his nomination papers on September 15, 2026, despite the cases being around 19 years old. It was also submitted that the warrants were executed for the first time after the nomination was filed.
The State opposed the bail plea, arguing that contesting an election could not by itself create a right to bail. It relied on earlier decisions concerning release of accused persons for election-related activities. The Court examined those authorities along with the Supreme Court’s decision in Arvind Kejriwal v. Directorate of Enforcement.
Justice Tirthankar Ghosh noted that the present circumstances were factually different from the earlier cases cited by both sides. The Court particularly considered that Pradhan was not in custody when he filed his nomination and was taken into custody afterwards, while the criminal cases originated from events of 2007. The Court also considered the historical circumstances surrounding the Nandigram violence and the earlier judicial proceedings concerning those incidents.
The Court observed:
“Relying upon the aforesaid judgments and the concept of interim bail as has been detailed in paragraphs 8 to 13 in the judgement of Arvind Kejriwal (supra), I am of the opinion that petitioner may be granted an opportunity to contest the election and to that effect he may be released on interim bail.”
The High Court directed that Milan Pradhan be released on interim bail on furnishing a ₹20,000 bond with two sureties of ₹10,000 each, one being a local surety. He was also required to provide his mobile number to the Officer-in-Charge of Nandigram Police Station for regular checks. The interim bail was made valid until October 20, 2026, with a direction to surrender before the jurisdictional court on October 21, 2026.
The same relief and substantially identical conditions were recorded in the other five bail applications concerning the 2007 Nandigram and Khejuri cases.
Case Title: Milan Pradhan v. State of West Bengal
