Cuttack, Nov. 11 -- The Orissa High Court on Tuesday granted relief to Berhampur Superintendent of Police (SP) Saravana Vivek M by deciding not to initiate contempt of court proceedings against him over public remarks linking the murder of lawyer Pitabas Panda to a pending election petition.

The decision came after the IPS officer personally appeared before the court and tendered an unconditional apology for his comments made during a press briefing on October 22. He expressed regret for publicly referring to matters that are currently sub judice.

Why the High Court issued notice to Berhampur SP Earlier, the High Court had issued a notice to the SP after he reportedly told the media that the murder case had a link to an election petitio...