Bhubaneswar: Delhi-based journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra who has been arrested and under judicial custody in Jharpada jail over his alleged anti-Odisha remarks was admitted to Capital Hospital after he complained of being peaky.
He was under severe mental trauma and thus is ailing. He has been placed under treatment at the surgery ward of Capital Hospital, police sources said.
His condition has been this way since Friday. Earlier, he was taken for a medical check-up and later remanded in the jail. However, he had to be admitted to the hospital after his condition further worsened Friday night, a senior police official said.
It may be noted here that Iyer-Mitra was arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of people and making derogatory remarks against the state, the Konark temple and Lord Jagannath.
In September he had posted a video on his Twitter handle where he “criticised Odisha, its people, Lord Jagannath, Konark temple and also Odisha lawmakers.”
Two FIRs were registered against him at the Konark police station in Puri district and Saheed Nagar police station in Khurda district under different sections of the IPC.
Also, Iyer-Mitra allegedly flew in a helicopter over the eco-sensitive Chilika Lake at a low level along with his friend and former BJD MP Baijayant Panda.
He was earlier arrested by the Odisha Police September 20 in Delhi and subsequently, granted bail till October 5 by a trial court which directed him to cooperate in the probe.
Iyer-Mitra then moved the Supreme Court October 4 seeking extension of his bail tenure but the plea was dismissed.
PNN