Kolkata, 21 September (H.S.): Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, contesting the Nandigram Assembly by-election, was produced virtually before the Haldia and Contai subdivisional courts on Monday, with proceedings in both courts taking place on the same day.

The Haldia Subdivisional Court subsequently extended Pradhan’s judicial custody till October 5, a day before polling for the Nandigram by-election scheduled for October 6.

In a separate proceeding, the Contai Subdivisional Court directed that Pradhan be produced before it physically on September 23, after taking note of the relevant documents and evidence in the case.

Pradhan was arrested last Friday from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district in connection with a case dating back nearly 19 years. According to police sources, three cases have been registered against him at Nandigram police station and one at Khejuri police station. The allegations include murder, attempt to murder, unlawful assembly and looting.

His arrest in connection with a 2007 murder case has triggered a political controversy, particularly as it came shortly after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her party would support the Congress candidate in the Nandigram by-election.

On September 19, Pradhan was produced before the Haldia court in connection with three cases registered at Nandigram police station. The court had then remanded him to judicial custody till October 3.

He was subsequently scheduled to appear before the Contai court in connection with a case registered at Khejuri police station. However, another case was registered against him at Nandigram police station in the meantime.

As Pradhan could not be physically produced before both courts simultaneously, he participated in the proceedings through video conferencing from the Haldia Sub-Correctional Home.

Pradhan’s counsel, Masud Mallik, said the virtual appearance was necessitated by the simultaneous proceedings before the two courts. He said the Contai court, after examining the relevant documents, directed that Pradhan be physically produced before it on September 23.

Mallik also said that an application had been moved before the Calcutta High Court seeking details of the cases registered against his client. The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Congress has alleged that its election campaign in Nandigram is being obstructed. The party claimed that those attending campaign programmes and meetings in the absence of its candidate were being intimidated by the ruling party and the police.

The BJP has rejected the allegations. Police have not issued any response to the claims so far.

The Nandigram Assembly by-election is scheduled to be held on October 6.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey