The Supreme Court has granted significant relief to Professor Mahmoodabad of Ashoka University. In the case of the FIR registered by Haryana Police regarding his controversial social media post on Operation Sindoor, the court has ordered the trial court to refrain from taking cognizance of the charge sheet.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday took significant action regarding the FIR registered against Professor Ali Khan Mahmoodabad of Ashoka University. The lower court has been restrained from taking cognizance of the charge sheet filed by the Haryana SIT. Ali Khan Mahmoodabad was accused of posting about 'Operation Sindoor' on social media.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, has also restrained the lower court from framing or proceeding with any charges in the matter.
What is the matter?
Haryana Police had registered two FIRs against Professor Mahmoodabad. These FIRs alleged that his social media posts threatened the sovereignty and integrity of the country. One of these FIRs, registered at the Rai police station in Sonipat district, was based on complaints from Renu Bhatia, the chairperson of the Haryana State Women's Commission, and a village head (Sarpanch).
Professor Mahmoodabad was arrested on May 18, 2025, following these allegations. Several political parties and academics condemned the arrest.
Action in the Supreme Court
The Haryana Police informed the Supreme Court that a closure report had been filed in one of the two cases filed against the professor regarding the Operation Sindoor post. In the other case, a charge sheet was filed on August 22, 2025. The Supreme Court has ordered the trial court not to take cognizance of the charge sheet filed against the professor for the time being. The court said that directions should be given to quash all proceedings until a full review of the case is completed.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Professor Mahmoodabad, objected to the filing of the charge sheet and called it extremely unfortunate. He said that his client has been charged under BNS Section 152 (sedition), the validity of which is challengeable. The Supreme Court told Sibal to study the charge sheet and prepare a chart of the alleged offenses. The court also said that this would be considered at the next hearing.
The Court said in the previous hearing
On July 16, 2025, the Supreme Court had questioned the direction of the Haryana SIT's investigation in the case and said that the investigating team had taken a wrong turn. Prior to this, on May 21, 2025, the court had granted interim bail to the professor but refused to stay the investigation against him. The court had directed a three-member SIT to investigate the FIR registered against the professor.
The SIT informed the apex court that both FIRs had been investigated. They filed a closure report in one case, while a charge sheet was filed in the other. The court directed that all proceedings related to the case under the closure report be quashed.
