The Supreme Court on Wednesday eased the bail conditions of Dr Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a faculty member at Ashoka University, who was arrested in May in connection with two Facebook posts related to a military operation.
The Court allowed Mahmudabad to write and publish articles or commentary, provided he does not address matters currently under judicial consideration. It also instructed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to complete its probe within four weeks.
The investigation stems from posts made by Mahmudabad in May 2025 concerning Operation Sindoor, a cross-border military action following attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. In his posts, Mahmudabad referred to the military’s restraint and cautioned against "warmongering" and "performative patriotism".
Complaints were filed by Renu Bhatia, Chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, and Yogesh, a BJP youth leader and sarpanch of Jatheri village in Sonipat. Bhatia alleged that Mahmudabad had disrespected women officers, including Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who had briefed the media. The second complaint accused him of demoralising the armed forces.
Mahmudabad was arrested by Haryana Police on 18 May and was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on 21 May. At that time, the Court also directed the formation of a three-member SIT, comprising officers from outside Haryana and Delhi, with a limited mandate to examine only the content of the two Facebook posts.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the Court noted that the SIT had exceeded its assigned scope by seizing Mahmudabad’s devices and requesting ten years’ worth of international travel data. The bench stated that the investigation must remain confined to the original posts. It also said that no further summons should be issued to Mahmudabad at this stage, given that he had already complied with prior requests, including surrendering his devices.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Mahmudabad, argued that the probe had expanded beyond the legal basis of the FIRs and was affecting his client’s rights.
Ashoka University has not issued a public statement on the matter. Some students and faculty members have commented on the case in their individual capacities. No disciplinary action against Mahmudabad has been announced by the institution.
The SIT is required to submit its final report by mid-August. The Court will review the matter after that.
.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&w=376&dpr=2.0)
