Puri, October 05: Journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra has sought for security to appear before the six-member Odisha Assembly House committee over his alleged derogatory remarks against Odisha and the Sun Temple in Konark.
Informing about the development, Puri SP Sarthak Sarangi said that Abhijit Iyer’s lawyer, in an email, has sought security from the police as he has to appear before the Assembly committee on October 11.
Abhijit Iyer’s lawyer has sought security to avoid any untoward incident during his appearance before the House Committee which has summoned him for breach of privilege.
The controversial scribe’s decision came a day after the Supreme Court dismissed his bail plea. “Your (journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra) comments incite religious feelings. How are you entitled for bail?” had said the three judge bench of the Supreme Court yesterday.
The apex court also said that the best place where he will be safe is jail.
The controversial scribe’s interim protection ends today.
Abhijit Iyer Mitra, a close friend of former Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda, had repeatedly made derogatory remarks on Odisha and its people last month which was protested vehemently by the people of all walks of life in the state.
The state Assembly also had constituted the House committed under the leadership of Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra.
The panel had summoned Abhijit Iyer to appear before it by 11 am on October 11.
Prasanta Patnaik