The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended the interim bail granted to Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad and directed Haryana Police to submit a report on the investigation being conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted in the case.
The Haryana government informed the court that an SIT has been formed in compliance with the earlier order and that Prof. Mahmudabad has joined the investigation. The court also sought to know the Haryana Police’s response to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’s notice regarding the FIRs filed against the professor.
The apex court reiterated that there was no impediment on Mahmudabad’s right to free speech and expression, but clarified that he must refrain from posting any content online related to the ongoing cases.
The case stems from Mahmudabad’s arrest in May following his social media posts after India’s counter-terror Operation Sindoor. The court, while granting him interim bail last week, directed the Haryana DGP to form a three-member SIT—comprising two IPS officers from within the state and one woman IPS officer from outside Haryana.
Mahmudabad was granted interim relief by the apex court last Wednesday.
The apex court bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, had last week directed Mahmudabad’s release on interim bail following his arrest over alleged objectionable social media comments related to Operation Sindoor — India’s counter-terror military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The court, while granting him relief, had also laid down several conditions. It restrained Mahmudabad from making any public statements on the recent terror attacks or India’s response, directed him to surrender his passport, and asked the Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana, to constitute a three-member SIT to probe the matter.
Mahmoodabad's remarks had 'double meanings': SC
“He is a learned man, he cannot be said to be short of words,” Justice Kant said last week, calling the professor’s language “dog whistling” and questioning the motive behind such comments during a national crisis. The court also noted that some of the remarks carried “double meanings” and could incite discomfort or communal tensions.
While senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mahmudabad, argued that there was no criminal intent and pointed out that the post ended with "Jai Hind", the bench remained unconvinced. Justice Kant remarked that the country was facing a grave challenge, and such remarks, even if couched as anti-war sentiment, could be seen as undermining national unity.
Mahmudabad, head of the Political Science department at Ashoka University, was arrested by Haryana Police on May 19 from his residence in Delhi. He was sent to judicial custody after being booked under charges of promoting enmity, causing disharmony, and endangering national integrity. The FIRs alleged that his remarks targeted women officers involved in Operation Sindoor, including Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
The controversy has also triggered political reactions. Congress leaders, including P. Chidambaram and Mallikarjun Kharge, criticised the arrest, calling it an attack on free speech. Kharge said the arrest reflects the BJP government's “fear of dissenting voices”.
Ashoka University, meanwhile, stated it was aware of the incident and was cooperating with the authorities.
The Haryana government informed the court that an SIT has been formed in compliance with the earlier order and that Prof. Mahmudabad has joined the investigation. The court also sought to know the Haryana Police’s response to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’s notice regarding the FIRs filed against the professor.
The apex court reiterated that there was no impediment on Mahmudabad’s right to free speech and expression, but clarified that he must refrain from posting any content online related to the ongoing cases.
The case stems from Mahmudabad’s arrest in May following his social media posts after India’s counter-terror Operation Sindoor. The court, while granting him interim bail last week, directed the Haryana DGP to form a three-member SIT—comprising two IPS officers from within the state and one woman IPS officer from outside Haryana.
Mahmudabad was granted interim relief by the apex court last Wednesday.
The apex court bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, had last week directed Mahmudabad’s release on interim bail following his arrest over alleged objectionable social media comments related to Operation Sindoor — India’s counter-terror military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The court, while granting him relief, had also laid down several conditions. It restrained Mahmudabad from making any public statements on the recent terror attacks or India’s response, directed him to surrender his passport, and asked the Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana, to constitute a three-member SIT to probe the matter.
Mahmoodabad's remarks had 'double meanings': SC
“He is a learned man, he cannot be said to be short of words,” Justice Kant said last week, calling the professor’s language “dog whistling” and questioning the motive behind such comments during a national crisis. The court also noted that some of the remarks carried “double meanings” and could incite discomfort or communal tensions.
While senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mahmudabad, argued that there was no criminal intent and pointed out that the post ended with "Jai Hind", the bench remained unconvinced. Justice Kant remarked that the country was facing a grave challenge, and such remarks, even if couched as anti-war sentiment, could be seen as undermining national unity.
Mahmudabad, head of the Political Science department at Ashoka University, was arrested by Haryana Police on May 19 from his residence in Delhi. He was sent to judicial custody after being booked under charges of promoting enmity, causing disharmony, and endangering national integrity. The FIRs alleged that his remarks targeted women officers involved in Operation Sindoor, including Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
The controversy has also triggered political reactions. Congress leaders, including P. Chidambaram and Mallikarjun Kharge, criticised the arrest, calling it an attack on free speech. Kharge said the arrest reflects the BJP government's “fear of dissenting voices”.
Ashoka University, meanwhile, stated it was aware of the incident and was cooperating with the authorities.
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