Abhijit Iyer-Mitra’s Ordeal Finally Ends: Odisha Government Drops Charges, To Be Released From Jail

Defence analyst and political commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra is set to be released from prison in Odisha as the state government has decided to drop pending charges against him. The Odisha government has issued a press release stating that the prosecution against Mitra will not be sanctioned and pending cases against him will be withdrawn, Indian Express has reported.

Mitra’s ordeal began after posting a sarcastic video on Twitter joking about the erotic sculptures at the Konark Sun Temple, subsequent to which two FIRs were filed against him and he was arrested. He was accused of ‘hurting the sentiments’ of the people of Odisha and charged under IPC Sections 153A (causing religious enmity), 295A and 298 (outraging religious feelings).

“Taking into account his representation, the Government has decided not to accord sanction of prosecution in cases where prosecution has been sought for and also decided to take steps to withdraw other cases pending against him by following laid-down procedures.”, the press release reads.

The press release cites Mitra’s appeal for withholding sanction for prosecution against him as he had issued an unconditional apology to the Odisha legislative assembly for hurting Odisha’s people’s sentiments ‘without malice or mal-intent’ , following which he was pardoned on 18 November.

Also Read: Why I Support Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, And Why You Should, Too