SC Declines to Interfere With Calcutta HC Bail Order for Congress Leader
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to interfere with a Calcutta High Court order granting interim bail to Congress leader and Nandigram Assembly by-election candidate Milan Pradhan, a day after the polling.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Justice Indu Surya Wala and Justice V. Mohana dismissed the State of West Bengal’s challenge to the High Court order.
The Supreme Court, however, clarified that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the criminal cases registered against Pradhan. The Bench observed that the State would be free to raise all its contentions before the appropriate court if it seeks an extension of the interim bail or its regularisation.
Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State, submitted that Pradhan had to surrender on October 21.
The Supreme Court’s decision allows the interim bail granted by the Calcutta High Court to continue, while leaving the State free to pursue appropriate legal remedies before the concerned court.
