2018 attempt to murder case: SC grants protection from arrest to Union minister Nisith Pramanik

Pramanik had earlier approached the Calcutta High Court. On January 4, the High Court declined to grant Pramanik a relief and adjourned the hearing till January 22. Apprehending the arrest, the MP from Dinhata Lok Sabha constituency moved the Supreme Court.

Senior Advocate P S Patwalia, representing Pramanik, said that the charges were “politically motivated” as Pramanik had joined the BJP quitting the Trinamool Congress. The political situation in the state was “volatile”, said Patwalia, while pointing out that an arrest warrant was issued against Pramanik in the case in March 2023.

Though he was not named in the chargesheet, the investigating agency had pressed for the issuance of his arrest warrant, Pramanik contended in the plea. Patwalia said that “Pramanik has a ministerial position, and it would become embarrassing if he was arrested”.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranaryanan, appearing for the state government, however, sought to assure that no arrest would be made till the High Court hears the matter.
As Patwalia pressed for an interim relief for Pramanik, Sankaranarayanan said that Pramanik faced other cases and could still get arrested.

The bench acceded to Patwalia’s request, and asked the High Court to hear the matter and dispose of it “as expeditiously as possible on the same day”.