Bhubaneswar: Abhijit Iyer Mitra, whose anti-Odisha statement triggered widespread resentment across the state, is yet to appear at Konark police station.
While granting conditional bail, the Metropolitan Magistrate of the Saket Court had directedAbhijit to appear at the Konark police station after September 28 in connection with a case registered against him on basis of a complaint lodged by Bimbadhar Beura for his derogatory remarks on the Sun Temple at Konark.
As informed by Abhijit’s counsel Yatinder Choudhury, his client has not appeared at Konark police station as the Supreme Court September 27 had extended his interim bail till October 5. “The apex court October 6 will take a decision on whether Abhijit would appear in the police station at Konark,” he pointed out.
The apex court, while extending the interim bail petition of Abhijit, had directed the Director General of Police (DGP) of Odisha to provide him with adequate protection if he needs to appear before the Orissa High Court.
The House Committee of the State Assembly Friday had decided to summon him in connection with his derogatory remarks on Odisha, Sun Temple at Konark and Lord Jagannath.
Briefing mediapersons after the presiding over the meeting, Leader of the Opposition Narasingha Mishra said the Committee has requested Abhijit to appear before it in person at 11 am at the State Assembly hall no-55 October 11.
He said as the allegations brought by the members cutting across party lines during the privilege motion in the State Assembly have the veracity of Abhijit’s derogatory remarks, the House Committee will conduct a detailed investigation into the matter.
It may be recalled that on the last day of the monsoon session of the State Assembly September 20, Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat had approved formation of a six-member House Committee led by Narasingha Mishra as the chairperson to probe the derogatory remarks by Abhijit.
The Committee will submit its report on the first day of the next session of the State Assembly.
The formation of the House Committee was decided at the all-party meeting convened by the Speaker after the members cutting across the party lines had vehemently criticised the outrageous statement of Abhijit on Odisha, Lord Jagannath and the Chief Minister during the privilege motion moved by the Congress.
Both Abhijit and his journalist friend Arati Tikoo Singh had gone on an aerial tour to Konark and Puri with former Kendrapara MP Baijanant Panda in his private helicopter recently.
PNN