Supreme Court Urges Expanded Investigation into Professor's Arrest in Haryana

The Supreme Court has advised the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Haryana Police to broaden its inquiry concerning Professor Ali Khan Mahmoodabad from Ashoka University, who was detained for social media posts linked to 'Operation Sindoor'. The court emphasized the importance of the professor's freedom of expression while maintaining restrictions that prevent him from commenting on the ongoing case. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Deepankar Dutta reiterated that Mahmoodabad retains his right to free speech, but he is prohibited from publicly discussing specific matters under investigation. While there are no barriers to his freedom of expression, he cannot comment on the FIR or post anything related to it.

In extending the interim bail period, the court declined to relax the conditions that currently restrict the professor from publicly discussing or writing about the controversial posts or the FIR. The Supreme Court instructed the SIT to confine its investigation to the two FIRs filed against the professor and to submit its report within four weeks. The court questioned the Haryana lawyer, asking, 'What do you need from their devices? The scope is limited to just two FIRs.'

Professor Ali Khan Mahmoodabad was arrested on May 18 following the filing of two FIRs in Sonipat, Haryana. These FIRs were related to his posts concerning Operation Sindoor, which addressed India's recent military response to cross-border threats. Authorities alleged that his statements were detrimental to national unity and disrespectful towards women.

The charges include:

Section 152: Acts endangering India's sovereignty or integrity

Section 353: Statements inciting public mischief

Section 79: Deliberate insult to the dignity of a woman

Section 196(1): Promoting enmity between groups on religious grounds

One FIR was based on a complaint from Renu Bhatia, the chairperson of the Haryana State Women's Commission, while the other stemmed from a village sarpanch's grievance.