Haryana Government Declines to Prosecute Ashoka University Professor Over Controversial Comments

Supreme Court Ruling on Professor's Case

On Monday, the Haryana government informed the Supreme Court that it will not proceed with the prosecution of Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad regarding his remarks on the press briefings related to Operation Sindoor. This decision was reported by a legal news outlet.

The Additional Solicitor General, SV Raju, described this decision as a 'one-time magnanimity' during the court proceedings.

Following this announcement, a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi dismissed the criminal charges against Mahmudabad.

However, the court advised the professor to exercise caution in his future communications.

Chief Justice Kant remarked, 'Sometimes writing in between the lines creates more problems.' He emphasized the need for sensitivity in such matters, urging Mahmudabad, a highly educated individual, to act prudently moving forward.

Background of the Case

Mahmudabad, who leads the political science department at Ashoka University, was previously booked in May for a social media post that criticized the praise directed at Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who represented the Indian Army during the press briefings.

He pointed out that while the optics of the briefings were significant, they needed to reflect reality; otherwise, they risked being seen as hypocritical.

He further suggested that commentators should vocally advocate for the protection of victims of mob violence and other injustices attributed to the Bharatiya Janata Party's divisive rhetoric.

The professor was arrested on May 18 but was granted bail by the Supreme Court just three days later.

At that time, the court did not halt the investigation against him and instructed the Haryana Police chief to establish a special investigation team to interpret Mahmudabad's statements.

Legal Proceedings and Complaints

The initial complaint against Mahmudabad was filed by Yogesh Jatheri, the general secretary of the BJP's state Yuva Morcha, citing laws related to promoting enmity and actions that threaten national integrity.

A second FIR was lodged by Renu Bhatia, Chairperson of the Haryana Women’s Commission, which included allegations of public mischief and actions that could insult a woman's modesty.

On August 25, the Supreme Court prohibited a magistrate from acknowledging the chargesheet submitted by the Haryana Police's Special Investigation Team in the first case and dismissed all proceedings related to the second FIR based on a police closure report.

On January 6, the Supreme Court encouraged the Haryana government to reconsider the prosecution of Mahmudabad.

Professor's Defense

Mahmudabad has consistently argued that his comments were 'completely misunderstood' by the women’s commission, asserting that their notice did not clarify how his posts contradicted women's rights or laws.