Bhubaneswar: Three days after defence analyst Abhijit Iyer Mitra was admitted to hospital, the State government authorities today forwarded his petition seeking withdrawal of case and release from jail after holding it back for 13 days. Mitra had submitted the letter to jail authorities on November 20.
In his petition, Iyer has requested Odisha government to either withdraw or quash the two cases registered against him as already Odisha Assembly House Committee on November 16 had already pardoned him for the derogatory remarks.
"In addition to my apology to the Odisha Assembly, I have also unconditionally apologised for all my words and actions that may have unintentionally hurt the sentiments of the people of Odisha, the chief minister, and others," wrote Iyer.
Though Iyer had submitted his petition before the jail superintendent on November 20, why it was held up for so many days has certainly raised many eyebrows.
It may be mentioned here that the Commissionerate Police had arrested Mitra in connection with a case filed against him at Saheed Nagar Police Station in Bhubaneswar. Cases have been registered against the journalist under sections 294, 295A, 153A, 500, 506 of IPC and section 67 of the Information Technology Act over his derogatory remarks against Odisha and Konark Sun Temple.
Iyer, who has been under judicial custody in Jharpada jail since his arrest, has been admitted to the Capital Hospital after he complained of stomach pain. Iyer through his lawyer has also moved the SDJM court seeking permission to undergo treatment at a private hospital.