Congress’s Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan has been sent to judicial custody until October 3, potentially leaving him only one day to campaign before canvassing ends for the October 6 election.
The Haldia Subdivisional Court remanded Pradhan to 14 days in custody on Saturday, a day after his arrest on four pending warrants linked to cases registered during the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram.
His arrest came hours after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her faction would support him following the withdrawal of its candidate, Sanchita Pradhan De.
POLICE CITE FOUR WARRANTS
West Bengal Police said the cases against Pradhan include allegations of rioting, murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and criminal intimidation, along with offences under the Arms Act.
His lawyer said three warrants relate to cases registered at Nandigram police station. Pradhan will be produced before a Contai court on Monday over the fourth warrant.
“The prosecution maintained in court that Pradhan had been absconding for the past 19 years and the police were unable to trace him. They have arrested him now because they have only now been able to find him,” the lawyer said.
The Congress has questioned the prosecution’s claim, pointing out that Pradhan appeared before the returning officer while filing his nomination.
OPPOSITION QUESTIONS TIMING
Banerjee accused the BJP-led state government of reviving old cases after her faction announced its support for the Congress candidate.
“The timing raises serious questions. This is the BJP’s usual formula: dig out an old case. But why now, just after we announced support for the Congress?” she wrote on X.
Her faction described its support for Pradhan as a show of solidarity with the INDIA alliance.
OPPOSITION ALLEGES POLITICAL REVENGE
Banerjee accused the BJP-led state government of reviving old cases after her faction announced its support for the Congress candidate.
“The timing raises serious questions. This is the BJP’s usual formula: dig out an old case. But why now, just after we announced support for the Congress?” she wrote on X.
Banerjee’s faction described its support for Pradhan as a show of solidarity with the INDIA alliance.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also called Pradhan’s arrest an act of “political revenge” and questioned its timing.
“The arrest of Congress candidate Milan Pradhan for the Nandigram by-election is no coincidence. It is political revenge, the murder of democracy,” Gandhi wrote on X.
The BJP denied political targeting, saying the Congress had chosen to field a candidate facing serious criminal charges and that the arrest followed pending court warrants.
Pradhan’s lawyers may seek relief from a higher court. Unless released earlier, he may have only October 4 to campaign before Nandigram votes on October 6.
– Ends
Published By:
Aprameya Rao
Published On:
Sep 19, 2026 17:27 IST
