Bhubaneswar: In a major relief to jailed controversial Journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra, who was arrested in connection to his series of derogatory remarks on Konark Sun Temple, the State of Odisha and its people, he will be released from the Odisha jail soon as the state government has decided to drop all charges against him.
Special Secretary to Odisha Government informed that the state government has decided not to accord sanction of prosecution in cases where the prosecution has been sought for and also decided to take steps to withdraw other cases pending against Abhijit Iyer Mitra by following laid-down procedures.
A press release issued by the Home Department of the state government said, “Sri Abhijit Iyer Mitra has made an appeal to the Government of Odisha to consider withholding sanction to prosecute him in certain criminal cases pending against him. He has appealed ‘to accept his apology and contrition’ in having wounded the sentiments of people of Odisha without intention. He has further mentioned that in consideration of his unconditional apology in having hurt the sentiments of people of Odisha unintentionally “without malice or mal-intent” the Hon’ble Odisha Legislative Assembly have pardoned him on 16th November 2018,”
“Taking into account his representation, the Government has decided not to accord sanction of prosecution in cases to take steps to withdraw other cases pending against him by following laid-down procedures,” added the press release.
Abhijit was arrested in the national capital on September 20 but was granted bail by a Delhi court. He was asked to furnish a surety of Rs 1 lakh and told to join the probe in Bhubaneswar by September 28. However, the Supreme Court refused to grant him bail on October 4.
The Odisha Assembly had formed a House Committee, headed by Leader of the Opposition Narasingha Mishra, to look into the matter. The House Committee had asked the Delhi-based scribe to appear before it.
On October 23, after Abhijit appeared before the House panel, the Commissionerate Police in Bhubaneswar took him for interrogation in connection with a case filed at Sahid Nagar Police Station under sections 294, 295A, 153A, 500, 506 of IPC and section 67 of the Information Technology Act over his derogatory remarks against Odisha and Konark Sun Temple. Hours after questioning, the city police arrested him.
The Odisha Assembly on November 17 passed a motion to forgive Abhijit based on his unconditional apology.
The Delhi journalist has been lodged at the Jharpada jail post his arrest.
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Kalinga AI