Ashoka University Professor Granted Extended Interim Bail By SC Amid SIT Probe

In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday extended interim bail to Ali Khan Mahmudabad, associate professor and head of the Political Science department at Ashoka University in Haryana, in relation to a social media post on Operation Sindoor.

While hearing the case, the Supreme Court demanded a status update from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) currently probing the matter and emphasized that Mahmudabad's right to free expression remains intact. However, the court has strictly prohibited him from making any online statements or posts regarding the ongoing legal proceedings.

According to India TV, the Supreme Court also instructed the Haryana Police to respond to a notice issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) concerning the FIRs registered against Mahmudabad.

Earlier this week, Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur had ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team to examine the two FIRs lodged against Mahmudabad on May 17 and 18 at the Rai police station in Sonipat.

The SIT is headed by Mamta Singh, Additional Director General of Police (Crime) and Commissioner of Police for Sonipat. The team includes Superintendent of Police (Karnal) Ganga Ram Punia and Superintendent of Police (Special Task Force, Gurugram) Vikrant Bhushan.

Mahmudabad was arrested on May 18 by Haryana Police and subsequently placed in judicial custody by a local court in Sonipat. Following the Supreme Court's ruling, he was granted interim bail, and the Sonipat jail authorities released him upon receiving the release orders. His lawyer, Kapil Balyan, confirmed his release.

Despite granting him interim freedom, the Supreme Court declined to halt the ongoing investigation. The court clarified that Mahmudabad continues to enjoy his constitutional protections, but any commentary-especially online-pertaining to the legal case remains strictly barred.

Per the DGP's directive, the SIT is required to carry out a swift and thorough investigation into the FIRs. The team is expected to submit a report under Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, as soon as possible.