The Supreme Court of India dismissed a special leave petition filed by the State of West Bengal challenging the grant of interim bail to opposition candidate Milan Pradhan in connection with electoral violence allegations in Nandigram. A two-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice affirmed the Calcutta High Court’s discretionary order, ruling that custodial detention during active campaigning would prejudice free and fair electoral participation.
Senior counsel representing the state government argued that Pradhan’s release could intimidate key prosecution witnesses and compromise ongoing investigations into election-related clashes. However, the apex bench observed that stringent bail conditions, including weekly reporting to the jurisdictional police station and prohibitions against public rallies without prior permission, adequately addressed law enforcement concerns.
The judicial dismissal clears the legal hurdle for Pradhan to remain in his constituency as ballot counting commences across contested assembly segments. Legal observers emphasized that the ruling reinforces settled jurisprudence that personal liberty should not be curtailed arbitrarily during democratic electoral contests unless compelling evidentiary necessity is demonstrated.
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Sources:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/byelection-bypoll-results-nandigram-rejinagar-madurantakam-dharapuram-thattanchavady-nagaon-live-updates-october-9-2026/article71562394.ece