Panel report on Iyer’s ‘breach of privilege’ in Odisha Assembly tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: The House Committee, which was constituted to probe into the breach of privilege allegation levelled against Delhi-based journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, will submit its report to the State Assembly during winter session commencing tomorrow.

“The Speaker had formed a panel to review the breach of privilege notice against Iyer and to report it to the House. The report will be submitted to the House tomorrow,” informed Leader of Opposition (LoP) Narasingha Mishra, who heads the House panel, after committee meeting here today.

The statements and affidavits of Iyer were reviewed to probe into the allegations. The report will be tabled in the House tomorrow, he added.

During the investigation into allegation over insulting the House and legislators, Iyer had appeared before the panel thrice and he submitted affidavits.

The six-member committee was formed by the Assembly Speaker for the probe as to whether the criticism by Iyer was the breach of privilege of the House or the legislatures.

Notably, the defence analyst Iyer is facing charges over his derogatory remarks on Konark Sun Temple’s architecture. Two FIRs have been lodged separately against him after he posted a series of tweets on microblogging site Twitter criticising Odisha culture and Lord Jagannath.

He has been booked under IPC Sections 294, 295A, 153A, 500, 506 and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.

The journalist is currently lodged in Jharpada jail in connection with his alleged derogatory remarks against Odisha culture and Sun Temple in Konark.

Recently, the camp court at Jharpada jail reserved verdict on hearing of his bail application and extended his judicial custody by 14 more days.

He was arrested by the Commissionerate Police just an hour after he appeared before the House panel on October 23.