New Delhi. Congress candidate Milan Pradhan has got a big relief from the Calcutta High Court today in the assembly by-election to be held in Nandigram, West Bengal. The High Court has granted interim bail to Pradhan till October 20. Now Milan Pradhan will be able to come out of jail and contest elections and will also be able to campaign. The court approved Pradhan's anticipatory bail application on a bail bond of Rs 20,000. The court has directed that Milan Pradhan will have to surrender before the Haldia court on October 21, the next day after the completion of the interim bail period.

Milan Pradhan was arrested on 18 September. Pradhan was arrested in a case of riots and murder to the protest against land acquisition in Nandigram in September 2007. Pradhan has challenged his arrest in the High Court. During the last hearing in the High Court, Pradhan's lawyer Senior Advocate Ayan Bhattacharya, while presenting the arguments, had said that the arrest of his client is a perfect example of weakening the democratic process. Earlier on September 21, a court in East Medinipur district had ordered to send Pradhan to judicial custody for 14 days.

Let us tell you that Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the candidate of Mamata Banerjee's party from Nandigram by-election, suddenly withdrew her nomination on September 18. Before withdrawal of nomination, he had met CM Shubhendu Adhikari. After the withdrawal of Sanchita Pradhan Dey's nomination, Mamata Banerjee had announced her support to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in a press conference. A few hours later, the police arrested Milan Pradhan. Let us tell you that there is a by-election in Nandigram on 6th October and the last date of campaign is 4th October. The result will be declared after counting of votes on October 9.