Ashoka University Professor is free to post social media, SC ordered SIT to limit SIT to two FIRs

The Supreme Court warned the Haryana Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) to increase the scope of its investigation in the case of Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad of Ashoka University, who was arrested for a social media post related to ‘Operation Sindoor’. The court emphasized the freedom of expression of the professor, but upheld the conditions stopping them from commenting on the ongoing case. A bench of Justice Suryakant and Justice Dipankar Dutta reiterated that Mahmudabad has the right to freedom of expression, but he cannot publicly discuss specific cases under investigation. There is no obstruction in their right to expression, but they cannot comment on the FIR or post anything related to them.

Extending the interim bail period, the court refused to relax the conditions that currently prevent the professor from publicly writing or speaking about the controversial post or FIR. The Supreme Court directed the SIT to limit its investigation to two FIRs registered against the professor and submit its report in four weeks. The court told Haryana lawyer, “What do you need their equipment? The scope is limited to only two FIRs.

Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested on May 18 after two FIRs were registered in Sonepat, Haryana. These FIRs belonged to his post on Operation Sindoor, which was India’s recent military reaction to threats from across the border. Officials alleged that their statements were harmful to national unity and insulting women.

BNS Section 152: Astrosion of India’s sovereignty or integrity

Section 353: Private statements for public mischief

Section 79: deliberately insulted a woman’s dignity

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

One FIR was based on the complaint of Haryana State Women’s Commission Chairman Renu Bhatia and the other village sarpanch.