Congress candidate in West Bengal bypoll arrested over old criminal cases

Milan Pradhan, fielded by the Indian National Congress for the Nandigram assembly bypoll, was taken into custody at a Chandipur hotel in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district on Wednesday. The arrest was made in connection with criminal charges dating back nearly two decades.

Pradhan faces allegations related to a murder case and rioting charges filed 19 years ago. Party colleague Subhasish Bhattacharya was also arrested during the operation at the hotel.

The candidate is scheduled to be produced before a court for further proceedings. The arrests come amid the electoral campaign for the Nandigram assembly seat, a constituency that has witnessed considerable political competition between major parties in recent years.

Details regarding the specific charges and the nature of the 19-year-old case remain under investigation. The Congress party has not yet issued an official statement regarding the arrest of its candidate.