NEW DELHI: The
Odisha government
has granted pardon to journalist
Abhijit Iyer Mitra
. According to a state home department official, the government will withdraw all cases against the Delhi-based journalist.
Earlier, the
Odisha assembly
had accepted the "unconditional and unreserved" apology of Mitra for his statement against the state lawmakers and dropped the breach of privilege charges against him.
The assembly granted pardon to Mitra after accepting the recommendations of a House Committee that inquired into the allegations against the journalist. The committee also recommended to the House to direct the state government to provide material to Mitra to educate him about the art, culture, history and the people of Odisha.
Mitra was arrested by
Odisha police
on October 23 after he was charged with hurting religious sentiments, promoting disharmony and other offences in the two FIRs.
A case was registered at Konark police station in Puri district on September 19 under various sections of IPC, Information Technology Act and Ancient Monument & Archaeological sites & Remains Act against Mitra.
The second case was lodged at Saheed Nagar police station here on September 20 under various sections of IPC and IT Act against Mitra.