Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail To Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, Orders SIT Probe

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who had been arrested by the Haryana Police in connection with a Facebook post commenting on 'Operation Sindoor'-India's military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The court further ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within 24 hours, comprising three senior officers not based in Haryana, including a woman IPS officer, and led by an officer of Director General of Police (DGP) rank, to investigate the matter.

Photo Credit: x.com/Mahmudabad

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh stated that the bail was being granted solely to aid the ongoing investigation, reported the Hindustan Times.

Mahmudabad, who heads the political science department at Ashoka University, was directed to furnish a single bail bond covering both FIRs against him and to surrender his passport to the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Sonepat.

Mahmudabad's Facebook post, which praised the military's restraint while cautioning against jingoism and "performative patriotism," came under fire from the Haryana State Commission for Women.

The chairperson accused him of insulting female officers-specifically Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh-who had briefed the media following the cross-border operation.

A second FIR was subsequently filed by a local BJP youth leader.

During the proceedings, the Supreme Court made stern observations about a perceived imbalance between rights and duties in society.

"It is as if the last 10 years the country is only distributing rights," the bench remarked, describing Mahmudabad's post as having "double meanings" and suggesting that its interpretation required someone with "deep knowledge and understanding" of such "academic" language.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mahmudabad, argued that there was no criminal intent behind the post, even if its timing might be seen as questionable.

Mahmudabad was arrested by the Haryana Police in Delhi on 18 May. Police then sought extended custody to investigate his foreign travels.

However, a Sonepat magistrate declined the plea and extended his judicial custody until 27 May.

Mahmudabad's legal team clarified that his international travel had been for academic purposes and was not of a suspicious nature.

The court also issued a word of caution to other academics, stating they should avoid making "irresponsible statements," and warned that they were "not out of reach"-although no formal order on this matter was issued.

Mahmudabad's arrest has provoked strong criticism from academics and civil rights groups, who view it as a threat to free speech and academic independence.

Relieved, heartened: Ashoka University

The Ashoka University on Wednesday said it was "relieved" and "heartened" that the Supreme Court granted interim bail to its professor Mahmudabad.

"We are relieved and heartened by prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad being granted interim bail by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. It has provided great comfort to his family and all of us at Ashoka University," the university said in a statement.

On Tuesday, a court in Sonipat sent Mahmudabad to judicial custody till May 27.

The FIRs were lodged at the Rai police station in Sonipat district -- one based on a complaint by the chairperson of Haryana State Commission for Women, Renu Bhatia, and the other on a complaint by a village sarpanch.

Several political parties and academicians had condemned the arrest.

(With PTI inputs)