'Misdirected Itself': SC Allows Ashoka Professor To Post Online, Questions SIT's Action

Ali Khan Mahmudabad, head of the political science department at Ashoka University, was arrested in May over a social media post.

The professor was granted bail by the Supreme Court shortly after his arrest.

Source : X

The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned Haryana SIT over seizing the electronic gadgets of Ashoka University professorAli Khan Mahmudabad for the probe. The court said the SIT misdirected itself as it criticised the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the professor for allegedly controversial social media content, making it clear that the academic need not be summoned again.

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned the SIT's approach and directed the team to complete the investigation within four weeks.

Limited Scope Of Inquiry: Apex Court

Emphasising that the investigation must remain confined to the two FIRs filed against Mahmudabad, the court said he is free to write on any subject, barring the subjudice matter under investigation. “We state that the petitioner is free to write any online posts or articles except commenting on the subjudice matter. Interim orders against the petitioner to continue,” the bench said in its order.

Ali Khan Mahmudabad, head of the political science department at Ashoka University, was arrested in May over a social media post that questioned the government's decision to appoint Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as spokespersons for Operation Sindoor briefings. His post sparked political backlash and legal action.

He was granted bail by the Supreme Court shortly after his arrest, with conditions including a ban on writing or speaking publicly about the case, refraining from commenting on the Pahalgam attack or Operation Sindoor, and surrendering his passport.

While maintaining the interim restrictions, the Supreme Court’s latest observations offer some relief to the professor by affirming his right to engage in public discourse, as long as it does not pertain to the ongoing case.