Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Ashoka University Professor Amidst Social Media Row

The Supreme Court of India granted interim bail to Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who was arrested by the Haryana Police for a social media post on Operation Sindoor that allegedly disparaged women officers in the Indian armed forces. The court's decision came after a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N K Singh directed the state director general of police (DGP) to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior IPS officers to investigate the matter. The court, however, refused to stay the investigation in the two FIRs against Mahmudabad and termed his post as "dog-whistling."

Key Takeaways:

• The Supreme Court granted interim bail to Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who was arrested by the Haryana Police over a social media post on Operation Sindoor.
• The court directed the state director general of police (DGP) to set up a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior IPS officers, one of whom would be a woman.
• The SIT would be headed by an inspector general of police to investigate the matter and understand the complexity and language used in the post.
• The court refused to stay the investigation in the two FIRs against Mahmudabad and termed his post as "dog-whistling."
• Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mahmudabad, referred to the post on Facebook and Instagram and said it was a highly patriotic statement.
• Justice Surya Kant asked if it was the right time to speak on the issue, considering the country had faced a big challenge with a terrorist attack.

Statistics:

• Two FIRs were lodged against Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad: one based on a complaint by Renu Bhatia, chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, and another by Yogesh Jatheri, Jatheri village sarpanch, and general secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Haryana.
• The Haryana State Commission for Women issued a show-cause notice to Mahmudabad over his remarks allegedly disparaging women officers in the Indian armed forces.

Sources:

• IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd. (Copyright 2025), distributed by Contify.com
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