Columnist Abhijit Sent to 14-Day Judicial Custody After Arrest
In a video uploaded on social media, Abhijit Iyer Mitra was seen criticising the 13th century Konark sun temple.
Security analyst and columnist Abhijit Iyer Mitra, who was arrested by Odisha Police on Tuesday, 23 October, has been sent to a 14-day judicial custody. Earlier in the day, he appeared before the state Assembly upon being summoned for making derogatory remarks about the Konark Sun Temple last month, ANI reported.
Speaking to the news agency, Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty had said the investigating officer decided to arrest him and produce him before court to consider his bail.
“As of now we are not asking for remand as he cooperated with us,” Satyajit Mohanty said.
He had earlier been summoned to appear before the House Committee headed by the Leader of Opposition, Narasingh Mishra, on Thursday, 11 October. However, he skipped the appearance. He was to be enquired about the alleged breach of privilege.
In a video uploaded on social media on Saturday, 15 September, Mitra was seen criticising the 13th century temple.
Mitra was arrested in September by the Odisha Police in Delhi. He had written an ‘unconditional apology’ to the Odisha Assembly Speaker.
He was granted bail on a surety of Rs 1 lakh and had been ordered to join the investigation in Odisha by 28 September.
Mitra shot the video during his visit to the temple with former parliamentarian and his friend, Baijayant Panda. Panda took Mitra and journalist Aarti Tikoo Singh on a chopper ride over the Sun Temple, the Puri Jagannath Temple and the Chilika Lake, drawing criticism across the political spectrum.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
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