Calcutta HC allows probe against BJP MLA Pranat Tudu in 2024 case, bars enforcement action without permission
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) allowed the police to continue their investigation in the 2024 criminal case against BJP MLA Pranat Tudu, while ordering that no coercive action be taken against him without the court’s permission.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya modified an interim order passed in June 2024 that restrained the police from proceeding against Mr. Tudu in view of the Lok Sabha elections.
The court ruled that the circumstances that warranted earlier protection no longer existed and allowed the investigating agency to continue its investigation.
However, he ordered that no enforcement action be taken against Mr. Tudu without the court’s permission, subject to his cooperation in the investigation.
Protection will remain in effect until October 12 or until further orders, whichever comes first.
The court also ordered the police to submit a report on the progress of the investigation.
Appearing for Mr. Tudu, lawyer Mayukh Mukherjee said the BJP leader, who was then the party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Jhargram, was allegedly attacked by TMC workers at Garhbeta in Paschim Medinipur district.
He alleged that despite an FIR lodged at Garhbeta police station on a complaint by CISF personnel, the police did not act and instead registered a “frivolous” case against Tudu on charges including attempt to murder and outrage of modesty of a woman.
Justice Bhattacharyya observed that the grounds for granting interim protection on June 3, 2024 — when Mr. Tudu’s presence was deemed necessary during the voting, counting and declaration of Lok Sabha election results — ceased to exist.
Accordingly, the court modified the earlier order and allowed the police to continue their investigation while maintaining protection from coercive measures.
Mr Tudu was elected to the West Bengal Assembly from Binpur constituency in Paschim Medinipur district earlier this year.
Published – 29 Jul 2026 14:50 IST