The trainee-reporter of Odia daily The Samaja Jitendra Prasad Das, who was arrested on the charge of publishing an objectionable photograph of Prophet Mohammed in the newspaper on Tuesday, was granted bail by the SDJM court here on Saturday.
The publication of the picture had led to angry protests by Muslims and ransacking of offices of The Samaja at several places including Cuttack, Rourkela and Baleswar. Das’ arrest had caused outrage among the media fraternity, and there were vociferous demands for his immediate release. Questions were also raised as to how the editor and the publisher of the newspaper had escaped prosecution despite being morally and legally accountable.