The Supreme Court has denied relief from arrest to journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra who is facing charges over his alleged objectionable remarks against Odisha's popular Konark Sun Temple.


The three judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranajn Gogoi, said, "Your comments incite religious feelings. How are you entitled for bail?"


Iyer-Mitra had been arrested last month in New Delhi by a team of Odisha Police. Mitra was initially detained from his home in New Delhi's Nizamuddin area. He was later placed under arrest.


The arrest was over alleged derogatory comments that Iyer-Mitra made about Odisha MLAs, the Konark temple and Lord Jagannath.


A couple of hours after his arrest, Iyer-Mitra was granted bail by a local court. However, the court directed Iyer-Mitra to head to Odisha and join an investigation that is being carried by the police in a case registered over his comments.


The development in the capital came around the same time when a privilege motion was moved against Iyer-Mitra in the Odisha Assembly.


Image: Journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra. Courtesy: Twitter