Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
India

Delhi Journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra Arrested After Apology For Remarks On Konark Temple

Darpan News Desk IANS, 24 Oct, 2018 12:39 AM
  • Delhi Journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra Arrested After Apology For Remarks On Konark Temple
Delhi-based journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra appeared before a House Committee of the state Assembly on Tuesday over his alleged anti-Odisha remarks and tendered an unconditional apology after which he was arrested by police.
 
 
As soon as he stepped out of the Assembly, Mr Iyer-Mitra was arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of people and making derogatory remarks against the state, the Konark temple and Lord Jagannath.
 
 
Mr Iyer-Mitra was charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code on the basis of an FIR filed at the Saheed Nagar police station in Bhubaneswar, ACP Kishore Mund said.
 
 
A complaint was lodged against Mr Iyer-Mitra by Manoranjan Mohanty on September 20 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of the people of Odisha.
 
 
After his arrest, Mr Iyer-Mitra was taken to the Capital Hospital for a medical check-up. He would then be produced in the court, the ACP said.
 
 
Chairman of the House committee Narasingha Mishra, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, told reporters that "Abhijit Iyer-Mitra confessed to the allegations against him and sought an unconditional apology for his stupidity. He has been directed to depose before the committee and submit an affidavit in this regard."
 
 
He further said, "The committee will decide whether to accept his apology or not after examining his affidavit. Accordingly, the committee will then recommend the House to take action against him if necessary."
 
 
Mr Mishra said Ms Iyer-Mitra has been asked to reappear before the House Committee on November 2.
 
 
On September 20, Odisha Assembly Speaker PK Amat had set up a House Committee to probe the alleged derogatory remarks against the state, its culture and the lawmakers made by Mr Iyer-Mitra.
 
 
Though the committee had earlier summoned Mr Iyer-Mitra to appear before it on October 11, he failed to show up. A notice was then sent to him for appearance before the committee on October 23.
 
 
Abhijit Iyer-Mitra in September had posted a video on his Twitter handle where he "criticised Odisha, its people, Lord Jagannath, Konark temple and also Odisha lawmakers."
 
 
Two FIRs were registered against him at the Konark police station in Puri district and Saheed Nagar police station in Khurda district under different sections of the Indian Penal Code.
 
 
Mr Iyer-Mitra also allegedly flew in a helicopter over the eco-sensitive Chilika lake at a low level along with his friend and former BJD lawmaker Baijayant Panda.
 
 
He was earlier arrested by the Odisha Police on September 20 in Delhi and subsequently, granted bail till October 5 by a trial court which directed him to cooperate in the investigation.
 
 
Mr Iyer-Mitra then moved the Supreme Court on October 4 seeking extension of his bail tenure but the plea was dismissed.

MORE India ARTICLES

There Are No Proposals To Downsize Indian Army, Says Nirmala Sitharaman

There Are No Proposals To Downsize Indian Army, Says Nirmala Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said the government was not considering any proposal to downsize the Indian Army.

There Are No Proposals To Downsize Indian Army, Says Nirmala Sitharaman

Nun Rape: Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal Files Bail Plea In Kerala High Court

Nun Rape: Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal Files Bail Plea In Kerala High Court
Bishop Franco Mulakkalwho has been named in a sexual abuse case by a nun, on Tuesday moved the Kerala High Court seeking an anticipatory bail.

Nun Rape: Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal Files Bail Plea In Kerala High Court

Sidhu’s Act Of Hugging Bajwa Demoralised Indian Soldiers: Nirmala Sitharaman

Sidhu’s Act Of Hugging Bajwa Demoralised Indian Soldiers: Nirmala Sitharaman
Ministers of the Bharatiya Janata Party continue to criticise Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu over last month’s visit to Pakistan where he was caught on camera hugging the country’s army general Qamar Javed Bajwa.  

Sidhu’s Act Of Hugging Bajwa Demoralised Indian Soldiers: Nirmala Sitharaman

1984 Sikh Massacre: All India Sikh Conference Accuses H S Phoolka Of Fudging Affidavits

1984 Sikh Massacre: All India Sikh Conference Accuses H S Phoolka Of Fudging Affidavits
The All India Sikh Conference has alleged that senior lawyer and AAP MLA H S Phoolka, fighting cases of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims, fudged affidavits.

1984 Sikh Massacre: All India Sikh Conference Accuses H S Phoolka Of Fudging Affidavits

Navjot Sidhu Meets Swaraj On Kartarpur Corridor Issue; Harsimrat Alleges He Was ‘Reprimanded’

Navjot Sidhu Meets Swaraj On Kartarpur Corridor Issue; Harsimrat Alleges He Was ‘Reprimanded’
Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and urged her to help initiate dialogue with Pakistan on the opening up of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor.

Navjot Sidhu Meets Swaraj On Kartarpur Corridor Issue; Harsimrat Alleges He Was ‘Reprimanded’

Modi Signs Off His 68Th Birthday With Prayers At Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday signed off his 68th birthday with a visit to the famous Shiva temple Kashi Vishwanath here where he prayed for about 30 minutes, amid very tight security.

Modi Signs Off His 68Th Birthday With Prayers At Kashi Vishwanath Temple