Supreme Court Declines to Disturb Interim Bail for Nandigram By-Poll Candidate

The Supreme Court declined to interfere with interim bail granted to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in criminal cases arising from the 2007 Nandigram agitation.

Background

The Calcutta High Court had granted limited protection to allow him to contest the Assembly by-election and participate in counting.

Legal issue

The State challenged the order, while the Supreme Court considered the limited electoral purpose and temporary duration of relief.

Court’s approach

The Bench did not decide the merits of the underlying criminal allegations and left the State free to oppose any subsequent request for extension or regular bail.

What follows

Pradhan’s existing interim bail remains subject to its terms, including the reported surrender date of October 21.