New Delhi: Odisha Assembly on Saturday passed a motion to forgive journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra who had allegedly made ‘derogatory remarks’ against MLAs, Odisha, and the Konark Sun Temple.
On the first day of the Assembly Session, a House Committee which was formed to investigate the matter recommended the remission in its report which was submitted to the Assembly Speaker Pradeep Amat.
On the basis of the Committee’s recommendation, a motion to forgive Mitra was moved in the Assembly, which was accepted by the House. It is worth mentioning that he had already apologized before the Committee.
The Committee also recommended providing him books on Odisha’s history and culture.
On November 7, a camp court at Jharpada Jail had reserved its verdict on Abhijit Iyer Mitra’s bail plea and extended his judicial custody for 14 days.
On November 3, journalist Mitra had deposed before the House Committee of Odisha assembly and submitted an affidavit over his alleged derogatory remarks against the state legislators and the Konark Sun Temple.
On October 23, Mitra was arrested by the Bhubaneshwar Police in connection with the case filed at Saheed Nagar police station over his derogatory remarks against legislators and Konark Sun Temple. He was taken into custody by the state police after he appeared before the House Committee of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
During a visit to the Konark Sun Temple on September 16 this year, Mitra had posted a satirical video on Twitter, where he made derogatory remarks insulting Odisha, its culture, tradition and the lawmakers.
Mitra was initially arrested by the Odisha Police on September 20 from Delhi on the charges of hurting religious sentiments. A Delhi court later granted him bail against a bond of Rs 1 lakh and directed him to join the investigation at the Konark police station.
He then moved the Supreme Court for bail, where his plea was quashed. On October 11, Mitra wrote an apology letter to the House Committee and the Speaker of the Odisha Assembly over his derogatory remarks and other offenses he is accused of.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]