Iyer-Mitra given one more day to submit affidavit

Delhi based journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra failed to submit his affidavit on his alleged derogatory remarks on Odisha and the Konark temple on Friday, the scheduled day, and a House Committee of the Odisha Assembly allowed him one more day to do so.

Iyer Mitra had earlier been asked by the panel to appear before the House Committee on November 2 and submit the affidavit.

"As he (Abhijit) could not submit his affidavit on the day and requested the House Committee to give him one day more, the Committee took note of this and gave him the last chance to submit his affidavit tomorrow," chairperson of the Committee Narasingha Mishra told reporters.

Odisha Assembly Speaker P K Amat had set up the House Committee on September 20 for an inquiry into the alleged breach of privilege by the journalist following his alleged derogatory remarks against the state, its culture and the lawmakers.

On October 23 Iyer Mitra appeared before the panel and tendered unconditional apology. He was asked to submit an affidavit.

Mishra, also Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, had then said the committee would decide whether to accept his apology after examining his affidavit.

Iyer Mitra was arrested soon after his appearance before the House panel on October 23.

The journalist was charged under various sections of the IPC on September 20 allegedly for hurting religious sentiments of the people of Odisha.

Iyer-Mitra is currently lodged at the Special Jail at Jharpada in Bhubaneswar.