The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to urgently hear a petition by Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who challenged his arrest by Haryana police over a Facebook post concerning Operation Sindoor. The court may take up the matter as early as Tuesday.
Professor Mahmudabad, who heads the Political Science Department at Ashoka University, was arrested on Sunday following two complaints, including one filed by the Haryana State Commission for Women. However, many argue the post was misinterpreted and contained no criticism of the Indian military action or the two women officers involved in briefing the media about the strikes.
Kapil Sibal Urges Urgent Listing
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai. Sibal stated, “A professor at Ashoka University has been proceeded against entirely for patriotic comments. I want the matter to be listed urgently.” The CJI responded by agreeing to list the case on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Arrest Sparks Outrage Over Police Action
The arrest has triggered significant criticism of the Haryana police, especially as Professor Mahmudabad was taken from his residence in Delhi to Sonipat. Critics pointed out the contrasting inaction by Madhya Pradesh police in handling communal remarks made by state minister Vijay Shah regarding Col. Sofiya Qureshi, one of the officers who led the Operation Sindoor briefings.
The Supreme Court dismissed the minister’s apology on Monday and ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team headed by a woman officer to probe the incident.
Facebook Post Highlighted State Hypocrisy
In the post, Mahmudabad wrote, “I am very happy to see so many right-wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureshi, but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing, and others who are victims of the BJP’s hate mongering be protected as Indian citizens. The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it’s just hypocrisy.”
The Haryana State Commission for Women claimed the remarks undermined women officers in the armed forces and allegedly spread communal discord.
FIR Filed Under Multiple BNS Sections
The Haryana police stated that they received two complaints—one from Renu Bhatia, chairperson of the Women’s Commission, and another from a village sarpanch. Based on these, they filed FIRs under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including 152 (acts endangering sovereignty), 353 (statements inciting public mischief), 79 (insulting a woman’s modesty), and 196(1) (promoting enmity between communities).
Faculty Association Condemns Arrest
The Ashoka University Faculty Association issued a strong statement condemning the arrest. “We condemn the calculated harassment to which Professor Mahmudabad has been subjected: after being arrested early in the morning from his home in New Delhi, he was taken to Sonipat, not allowed access to necessary medication, and driven around for hours without any communication about his whereabouts,” the statement read.
They expressed full support for the professor, whom they described as an “invaluable member of the university community, a deeply responsible citizen, and a friend to his students.”
Academic Community Backs Mahmudabad
Highlighting his academic credentials, the faculty noted, “Professor Mahmudabad is well-versed in diverse literary and linguistic traditions and is a widely acclaimed expert and scholar of history and political science in South Asia and beyond. In all of his writing, both for academic and wider public fora, he has emphasized the importance of justice, pluralism, and solidarity, and has always advocated a profound respect for Constitutional values and morality.”
The Supreme Court’s intervention is expected to be closely watched amid growing concerns over freedom of expression and the misuse of law enforcement for political targeting.
