Controversy Erupts Over NHRC's Notice to Haryana Police Regarding Ashoka University Professor's Arrest

The NHRC's notice to Haryana Police concerning the arrest of Ashoka University professor Dr. Ali Khan Mahmudabad has sparked significant debate over legal jurisdiction and procedural propriety. With questions raised about the NHRC's authority to intervene in a case already acknowledged by the Haryana State Women Commission, the situation highlights potential contradictions within the Commission's own guidelines. Mahmudabad faces serious charges related to national sovereignty, stemming from social media posts linked to 'Operation Sindoor.' This unfolding controversy invites scrutiny into the intersection of human rights and legal processes in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 21, 2025, 20:01 IST

NHRC's Notice Sparks Debate

New Delhi, May: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Haryana Police concerning the arrest of Dr. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a professor at Ashoka University, prompting significant scrutiny regarding the appropriateness of their actions.

The controversy began when NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo clarified to a news agency that he had not authorized the notice, referencing Section 36 of the Protection of Human Rights Act. This section prohibits the NHRC from investigating matters already being handled by a state commission or another authorized body.

This legal stipulation raises questions about the NHRC's authority to engage in this case.

Notably, one of the FIRs against Mahmudabad was lodged at the Rai Police Station in Sonipat, Haryana, following a complaint from Renu Bhatia, the Chairperson of the Haryana State Women Commission, which has already acknowledged the issue.

This overlap indicates that the case might be under the jurisdiction of the state commission, potentially barring the NHRC from intervening at this point.

Furthermore, the NHRC's own guidelines, particularly the section on 'Complaints Not Ordinarily Entertainable,' suggest that the Commission may reject cases that are currently sub judice or under review by another statutory body. This raises concerns about a possible inconsistency between the NHRC's internal procedures and its public actions, according to sources.

Earlier, the NHRC had announced that it had taken suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding the professor's arrest, asserting that the allegations suggest a violation of Mahmudabad's human rights and liberties. The Commission requested a comprehensive report from the Haryana Director General of Police within a week.

Mahmudabad, who leads the political science department at Ashoka University, was arrested on Sunday under serious allegations, including those related to jeopardizing national sovereignty, reportedly due to social media posts associated with 'Operation Sindoor.'