The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a petition filed by Dr. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, head of the political science department at Ashoka University, challenging his arrest over social media posts related to the Indian Army’s ongoing ‘Operation Sindoor.’
A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih took note of senior advocate Kapil Sibal’s urgent request on behalf of the professor. “He has been arrested for a patriotic statement. Please list it during the day,” Sibal urged the court. The Chief Justice responded that the matter would be listed for hearing either on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Dr. Mahmudabad was arrested on Sunday after two FIRs were filed against him under serious charges, including endangering the sovereignty and integrity of India. The FIRs were registered at the Rai police station in Sonipat, Haryana, based on complaints from Renu Bhatia, Chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, and a local village sarpanch.
The arrest comes amid growing online discourse over ‘Operation Sindoor’, a military initiative undertaken in the Kashmir region. Dr. Mahmudabad had posted a statement on social media which, according to him, was “misunderstood.” He has consistently maintained that his remarks were patriotic and made in the exercise of his constitutional right to free speech.
The Haryana State Commission for Women had earlier issued a notice to Dr. Mahmudabad seeking clarification on his remarks. Responding to the controversy, the academic reiterated his commitment to democratic values and academic freedom.
The Supreme Court’s decision to urgently list the case signals judicial attention to concerns over the criminalisation of speech in academic and public discourse.
