Delhi-based journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra Tuesday appeared before a House Committee of the state Assembly over his alleged anti-Odisha remarks and tendered an unconditional apology.
Iyer Mitra has been asked to reappear before the House Committee on November 2, Chairman of the committee Narasingha Mishra, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, said.
"Abhijit Iyer Mitra admitted 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," Mishra told reporters here.
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."
Earlier on September 20, Odisha Assembly Speaker P K Amat had set up a House Committee to probe the alleged derogatory remarks against the state, its culture and the lawmakers made by Iyer Mitra.
Though the committee had earlier summoned Iyer Mitra to appear before it on October 11, he failed to turn up. A notice was then sent to him for appearance before the committee on October 23.
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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 IPC.
Iyer Mitra had allegedly flew in a chopper over the eco-sensitive Chilika lake in low level along with his friend and former BJD MP Baijayant Panda.
Though he was arrested by the Odisha Police on September 20 in Delhi, he was granted bail till October 5 by a trial court which directed him to cooperate in the probe.
The Supreme Court on October 4 had, however, refused to grant him bail.
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