Orissa HC grants bail to Abhijit Iyer Mitra

The Orissa High Court on Wednesday granted bail to defence analyst Abhijit Iyer Mitra, who was arrested for making derogatory remarks on Odisha and its culture.

The bail paves the way for the release of Iyer Mitra, who has been lodged in Jharpara jail for over 40 days.

While granting bail to Iyer Mitra in two cases registered against him in Bhubaneswar and Puri respectively, the court said that the trial court can lay down the terms and conditions of the bail, according to sources.

The court granted the bail a day after the Odisha government decided to drop cases against him. The government accepted Iyer Mitra's appeal and decided not to accord sanction of his prosecution.

"Taking into account his representation, the government has decided not to accord sanction of prosecution in cases where prosecution has been sought for and also decided to take steps to withdraw other cases pending against him by following laid-down procedures," a statement by the Home Department said on Tuesday.

Iyer Mitra had made an appeal to the Odisha government to accept his apology for hurting the sentiments of the people of Odisha without intention.

The Odisha Assembly had on November 17 pardoned Iyer Mitra after he tendered an unconditional apology for his statement against the state lawmakers.

Iyer Mitra had on September 16 posted a video on Twitter in which he was seen criticizing the Konark temple. Later, he went on making defamatory remarks against Odia culture and lawmakers.

Following the incident, two separate cases were registered against him. Iyer Mitra was arrested on October 23 after his bail plea was rejected in the Supreme Court.

--IANS

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