Delhi-based journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra on Thursday skipped appearing before the Odisha House (Assembly) Committee for inquiry into his alleged breach of privilege of members of the legislature.
However, in two emails to Assembly Speaker Niranjan Pujari and the House Committee, Mitra sought apology for not deposing before the panel on the scheduled date as per summon to him.
The six-member House panel, on the other hand, gave one more opportunity to him and served another notice asking him to appear before it at 11.00 am on October 23.
Committee Chairman, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said Mitra might not have appeared before the panel due to the Cyclone Titli. The panel did not consider it as a breach of privilege of the House, said Mishra after the committee’s meeting, which was held expecting that Mitra would depose to make his stand clear on the allegation against him.
Last week, Mitra was also supposed to appear before the Odisha police for interrogation into his alleged derogatory remarks on the Konark Sun Temple on Twitter after the Supreme Court rejected his bail plea. However, he sought police security for his appearance before the police.
The apex court on October 5 had dismissed his bail petition over his alleged remarks that hurt religious sentiments of people of Odisha. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi denied relief from arrest to Iyer saying, “Your comments incite religious feelings. How are you entitled for bail?”
Justice Gogoi further observed that jail was the better place for Mitra to stay if the latter’s life is in danger.
Notably, Mitra is facing charges over his derogatory remarks on the Sun Temple’s architecture. Two FIRs have been lodged against him after he posted a series of Tweets criticising Odisha culture and Lord Jagannath.
Mitra, who is a friend of former MP Baijayant Panda, drew flak from all quarters after he posted a video on social media making derogatory remarks on the Sun Temple and a series of Tweets insulting Odisha people and their culture. He made the remarks during and after his recent visit to Odisha along with his associates, including Panda, by an IMFA helicopter piloted by the former parliamentarian, whose family owns the industrial house.