Breach of privilege: Iyer appears before House panel for 2nd time in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Delhi-based journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra today appeared before the House Committee of Odisha Assembly for the second time over an alleged breach of privilege of the legislators.

He was asked to be present before the panel again tomorrow as he failed to submit an affidavit today for his remarks against the legislators of Assembly.

Earlier, he had appeared before the panel on Oct 23 for an inquiry into the breach of privilege. He had signed the paper containing his statements over the allegations. The panel headed by the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Narasingha Mishra had asked him to appear before it on Nov 2.

The journalist is currently lodged at Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar for allegedly abusing Odisha culture and derogatory remarks against Konark Sun Temple.

Notably, Iyer was arrested by the Commissionerate police soon after his appearance before the House panel on Oct 23. The Konark police had taken him on remand for interrogation into his alleged abusive remarks against Sun Temple. After completion of remand, he was again sent to Jharpada jail.