Haldia, March 28: The additional chief judicial magistrate (ACJM) of Haldia has rejected the state government’s appeal seeking withdrawal of nine criminal cases against Trinamul workers related to the Nandigram land war.

The government had made several appeals to the Haldia court since December seeking the withdrawal of over 100 criminal cases against Trinamul workers related to the land fiasco in Nandigram, the move apparently aimed at wiping off taint ahead of the panchayat polls.

A government lawyer in Haldia had said on March 21 that the cases, filed during Left rule, were “politically motivated”.

Four days later, nine cases were rejected by the court.

In his order, ACJM D.K. Sukul said: “The reasonable question arises how the prosecution came to the conclusion that the… case cropped up due to mass movement or for political rivalry. No such explanation has been put forward by the prosecution to that effect.”

Sukul asked the 100-odd accused in the nine cases to be present in the court on May 31. The charges include attempt to murder, arson, rioting and destruction of government property.

In at least one order, the ACJM observed: “Here, from materials on record, it is not clear what policy has been adopted by the state to withdraw the instant case….. I am not inclined to give consent to withdraw the present case.”