On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India rejected a request from the West Bengal government to overturn the Calcutta High Court’s interim bail for Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate contesting the Nandigram by‑poll.
The bench—Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana—allowed the state government to file further contentions before the high court if Pradhan seeks an extension, but left the existing bail order intact.
High Court magistrate issued the bail on September 29, giving Pradhan until October 20 to campaign, and ordered him to surrender before the trial court on October 21; each of the six criminal cases now requires a ₹20,000 bond and a daily phone‑call from the investigating officer.
The cases stem from the 2007 Nandigram anti‑land acquisition movement, when police firing killed 14 people and prompted a CBI probe; Pradhan was arrested on September 18 after filing his nomination on September 15.
A Nandigram farmer, whose daughter was among the victims, said the by‑poll could bring a fresh voice to the village, yet he fears the candidate’s past may reignite old wounds; the vote will be counted on October 9 while the state government prepares to file new objections.