Odisha Govt. drops cases against Abhijit Iyer Mitra

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government today decided to drop all cases against research scholar and journalist Abhijeet Iyer Mitra who made ‘derogatory’ remarks against the Jagannath and Konark Temples and the State law makers in social media.

      “Government have decided not to accord sanction of prosecution in cases where prosecution has been sought for and also decided to take steps to withdraw other cases pending against him by following laid-down procedures,” an official said.

The release said Mitra had made an appeal to the State Government to consider withholding sanction to prosecute him in certain criminal cases pending against him.

He also appealed ‘to accept his apology and contrition’ in having wounded the sentiments of people of Odisha without intention.

It said, “He has further mentioned that in consideration of his unconditional apology in having hurt the sentiments of people of Odisha unintentionally “without malice or mal-intent” the Hon’ble Odisha Legislative Assembly have pardoned him on 16th November, 2018.”

The comments of Mitra had drawn widespread condemnation in the State and criminal cases were registered against him in Bhubaneswar and Konark police stations.

He was also quizzed by a House Committee headed by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra.