Supreme Court: The division bench of Surya Kant and NK Singh, JJ., granted interim bail to Ashoka University Associate Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad in connection with two First Information Reports (‘FIRs’) filed over his social media posts regarding ‘Operation Sindoor’, but declined to stay the investigations against him.
Professor Mahmudabad was facing charges under Sections 196, 152, and other provisions of the Penal Code, 1860 related to offenses prejudicial to communal harmony, making statements likely to cause disharmony, endangering national sovereignty, and using words or gestures intended to insult a woman’s modesty. Additionally, he had been summoned by the Haryana State Commission for Women. He had been arrested on 18-05- 2025 and had remained in custody since then.
While the Court did not stay the investigation, it directed the Director General of Police (‘DGP’) of Haryana to constitute a Special Investigation Team (‘SIT’) within 24 hours. The SIT was to comprise senior IPS officers who were not from Haryana or Delhi, with one officer being a woman. The team was to be headed by an officer of the rank of Inspector General (‘IG’), with two other members holding the rank of Superintendent of Police (‘SP’). The Court further ordered the SIT to investigate and understand the true meaning behind Mahmudabad’s social media post.
As part of the conditions for interim bail, the Court imposed restrictions on Professor Mahmudabad from posting any content or articles related to the subject matter of the case or expressing opinions concerning the terrorist attack on Indian soil and the counter-response given by India. He was also instructed to join and fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation. Additionally, Professor Mahmudabad was ordered to surrender his passport.
Source: Press
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