Kolkata, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, contesting the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district, was on Saturday remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody after a district court denied him bail in connection with an old murder case.
Pradhan, who was arrested on Friday evening from the Chandipur area, will remain in custody until October 3. The Nandigram bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with counting of votes set for October 9. The Rejinagar Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district will also vote on October 6.
His arrest is linked to cases registered during the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram. Police have said four non-bailable warrants were pending against Pradhan in cases dating back to that period. According to police, three cases were registered at Nandigram police station and one at Khejuri police station, with three involving provisions of the Arms Act.
Pradhan is scheduled to be produced before the same court on Monday in connection with another case registered against him at Khejuri police station.
The development came amid major changes in the Nandigram electoral contest. The nomination withdrawal deadline ended on Saturday. Congress maintained that Pradhan would continue as its candidate despite his arrest.
West Bengal Congress leader Ajitesh Pandey questioned the timing of the police action, alleging that authorities had located Pradhan only after he became an election candidate. He said the party would not withdraw from the electoral contest.
Congress has also criticised the BJP and the state government over the arrest. The allegations have been rejected by authorities and BJP leaders, who have maintained that pending warrants are being executed as part of the law-and-order process during the election period.
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