Supreme Court to hear West Bengal plea against bail to Nandigram Congress candidate on October 5
The Supreme Court of India has scheduled a hearing for October 5 regarding the West Bengal government's challenge to the bail granted to a Congress candidate in a murder case. The court declined an urgent request to hear the matter sooner, noting the proximity to the Nandigram bypoll.
Why it matters
The case underscores the intersection of criminal law and electoral politics, specifically regarding the eligibility of candidates facing serious criminal charges.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) agreed to list for hearing a State of West Bengal petition against the Calcutta High Court’s grant of interim bail to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan to contest the Nandigram Assembly bypoll, while orally indicating that it may dismiss the challenge.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant , heading a three-judge Bench, refused an urgent oral plea made by the State to hear the appeal on October 1. But the Chief Justice said the court had a “lengthy board” of cases.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for West Bengal, said a listing on October 5 would make the petition infructuous. The polling was scheduled the next day, on October 6.
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