Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Ashoka University Professor Over Operation Sindoor Posts

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) granted interim bail to Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad but declined to stay the two First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against him over social media posts related to Operation Sindoor.

A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh also directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within 24 hours to probe the case. The SIT is to comprise three senior officers who are not residents of Haryana, including a woman IPS officer, and will be headed by a Director General of Police (DGP)-rank officer.

The court clarified that the interim bail was being granted solely to facilitate the ongoing investigation. It also directed Mr. Mahmudabad, who is the head of the political science department at Ashoka University, to furnish a single bail bond for both FIRs against him and submit his passport before the chief judicial magistrate, Sonepat.

During the hearing, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Siddharth Luthra represented Mahmudabad, describing his social media posts as "expressions of patriotism." Justice Kant noted that while the posts initially focused on the horrors of war, they gradually shifted towards political commentary. "The country has faced a big challenge, and civilians were under attack. At this time, why are they trying to gain popularity?" Justice Kant questioned during the proceedings.

Mr. Sibal argued that the social media posts did not create any communal tensions contrary to what had been alleged in the FIRs. He also informed the Bench that Mr. Mahmudabad's wife is nine months pregnant. A local court in Sonipat had on Tuesday (May 20, 2025) remanded Professor Mahmudabad to judicial custody, rejecting the State Police's request for a seven-day extension of his police custody.

The Congress party had earlier condemned the arrest, alleging it showed "how fearful the BJP is of any opinion which it dislikes." Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that his party condemned any character assassination, vilification, trolling, harassment, and unlawful arrest of individuals either by fringe elements or through official state machinery. Mr. Mahmudabad was arrested on Sunday (May 18, 2025) after two FIRs were lodged with stringent charges, including endangering the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on May 27.

The Posts made by Professor Mahmudabad