Bhubaneswar: The court of Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) here Wednesday granted Konark police to take journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra on a four-day remand in connection with a case registered against him at Konark police station September 19.
Konark police moved the court Tuesday seeking seven days remand of Abhijit, who was arrested by the Commissionerate Police after his deposition before the House Committee of the state Assembly over his alleged derogatory remarks on Konark temple, Odisha in general and the legislators.
The committee has been formed after a privilege motion was moved against Abhijit during the Monsoon Session of the Assembly last month. The issue had stalled the proceedings in the House several times.
Abhijit was scheduled to be deposed before the panel October 11, but instead had sent an apology letter which was not accepted and he was re-served notice to appear before the House Committee October 23.
Though the state police had arrested Abhijit September 20 in New Delhi, he was granted conditional bail by the Delhi Saket Court. The court had then directed him to appear before Konark Police by September 28.
Later October 4, the Supreme Court rejected his bail plea and passed strictures against his act of hurting religious sentiment of the people of Odisha. The apex court reportedly said Abhijit Iyer Mitra’s remarks incited religious feelings and it is not a case for bail.
Abhijit is presently lodged at Jharpada jail after the SDJM court here turned down his bail plea and remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days.
First day in Jharpada jail
Abhijit was initially lodged at Cell No 18 of Jharpada special jail with other inmates and was later shifted to Cell No 11 due to security concerns. However, he is not alone in the cell and there are two-three prisoners for lending him company. Abhijit reportedly refused to have dinner on his first night in the jail. However, he had ‘upama’ (south Indian porridge), ‘ghuguni’ (green pea curry) and tea in the breakfast Wednesday morning. Jail sources claimed that a strict vigil is being maintained on him and his movements within the jail precincts here.
