The Odisha Assembly House Committee on Thursday directed the Director General Police to produce Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, a Delhi-based political commentator who had courted controversy over his alleged objectionable remarks about Konark Sun Temple and State lawmakers, before it on October 23.
The House Committee is probing allegations of breach of privilege against Mr. Iyer-Mitra who had reportedly passed derogatory remarks against the State MLAs.
“The House Committee had summoned Mr. Iyer-Mitra, who is facing investigation for certain allegations, to present his side on Thursday. He had also confirmed through an email that he would come down to Bhubaneswar to explain what he had said,” said Narasingha Mishra, Leader of the Opposition who is also heading the House Committee.
“In a separate email, he had tendered an apology saying he had committed an unpardonable mistake. What he had said should not have been uttered. He had accepted his mistake.
Inclement weather
“Since the committee had summoned Mr. Iyer-Mitra, he is bound to be present physically before the committee. As per media reports, trains and flights have been cancelled due to inclement weather. For those reasons, he might not have come. Given the circumstances, we felt that his absence is not ill-intentioned,” said Mr. Mishra, adding that another notice has been issued to him to present himself before the committee on October 23. “The State DGP has been directed to ensure this,” said Mr. Mishra.
Mr. Iyer-Mitra is facing a separate police investigation with regards to his alleged objectionable remarks on the Konark Temple. The Supreme Court had recently rejected his bail plea and directed him to join the police probe in the State.