Kolkata, Sep 25 The Calcutta High Court on Friday heard Congress’s Nandigram by-election candidate Milan Pradhan’s interim bail prayer in four criminal cases of 2007 for which he was arrested last week, so that he could campaign.
Justice Tirthankar Ghosh reserved order in the petition following conclusion of submissions by the parties.
The Congress candidate’s lawyer stated before the court that he was seeking interim bail to contest the October 6 bypoll, campaign for which will end on October 4 and counting scheduled on October 9.
The West Bengal government opposed the bail prayer, maintaining that Pradhan is accused of serious charges, including murder and attempt to murder during the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram.
Asking why the government does not want him to contest, Pradhan’s lawyer Milan Mukherjee stated that he was ready to abide by any condition imposed for granting bail.
Mukherjee said that the order on the bail prayers is expected on Monday.
On a question by Justice Ghosh, the state’s lawyer informed the court that 18 people were accused in the cases and six of them are currently out on bail.
In another matter, a division bench presided over by Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge set aside a single bench order directing police not to take any steps against Pradhan in a criminal case till October 12.
The division bench said an accused has the liberty to seek bail after arrest and, if apprehending arrest, can apply for anticipatory bail.
Pradhan was arrested by the Purba Medinipur Police on September 18 and was subsequently shown arrested in connection with another case registered at Khejuri police station in the district.
Pradhan faces charges, including murder and attempt to murder, in the 2007 cases linked to the anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram.
Several criminal cases were registered against him in 2007 at Nandigram and Khejuri police stations.
While hearing an application filed by Pradhan seeking protection from coercive action in six other cases registered against him, the high court was on September 22 informed by the state that five of them were withdrawn by the previous government and he was not wanted in the sixth case.
The high court was also informed that Pradhan was arrested and sent to judicial remand in connection with the other five criminal cases.
(PTI News)
