Supreme Court Ends Case Against Ashoka University Professor Over Operation Sindoor Posts

The Supreme Court on Monday terminated criminal proceedings against Ashoka University political science professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad concerning his social media remarks on Operation Sindoor.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi recorded the submission of Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who appeared for the Haryana government.

The state informed the court that it had declined to grant a sanction for prosecution, effectively closing the matter.

Raju stated that the government refused sanction as a ‘one-time gesture of magnanimity’. With this decision, the court noted that the issue had been concluded.

While disposing of the petition, the Bench also cautioned the professor to exercise prudence in future public commentary.

The court observed that statements which invite interpretation ‘between the lines’ can trigger unnecessary controversy, particularly during sensitive situations.

The Bench further remarked that it had no reason to doubt that Mahmudabad, as an accomplished academic, would behave responsibly in the future.

Mahmudabad approached the apex court to seek the quashing of criminal proceedings against him.

The case arose from two social media posts discussing Operation Sindoor, India’s cross-border military response to Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The Haryana Police registered two FIRs under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for inciting rebellion and promoting communal discord.

The controversy began after Mahmudabad praised public support for Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who briefed the media during Operation Sindoor. He also criticised incidents such as mob lynching and bulldozer demolitions.

Earlier, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail. It also directed the Haryana DGP to form a three-member SIT with senior IPS officers, including a woman officer.

The court stayed the trial proceedings and criticised the SIT for expanding the investigation beyond the posts’ language.

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