Ali Khan Mahmudabad, Ashoka University Professor, Released from Sonipat Jail
(Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Ashoka University Associate Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been released from Sonipat district jail after the Supreme Court granted him interim bail on Wednesday.
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, head of the political science department at Ashoka University, was arrested on May 18 over a controversial social media post regarding Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
The arrest followed two First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against him—one by BJP youth leader Yogesh Jatheri and another by Haryana State Commission for Women Chairperson Renu Bhatia. The complaints alleged that Mahmudabad’s remarks promoted enmity and undermined national integrity.
Mahmudabad’s post reportedly questioned the optics of women officers leading media briefings after the operation, sparking criticism from political and social groups. His arrest has since ignited a debate on free speech and academic freedom, with legal experts and opposition leaders weighing in on the matter.
The Supreme Court, while granting bail to Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, criticized his choice of words and underscored the importance of balancing freedom of expression with civic responsibility. The apex court also directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the intent and context behind his statement.
Mahmudabad’s arrest drew widespread condemnation from academics, human rights activists, and political leaders, who viewed it as a serious infringement on academic freedom and free speech.
The Faculty Association of Ashoka University denounced the arrest, calling the charges “groundless and untenable.”
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Haryana, seeking a detailed report on the circumstances of Mahmudabad’s arrest and expressing concern over potential violations of his rights during custody.
In an official statement, the Commission acknowledged a May 20 media report outlining the allegations that led to the arrest of Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad. The statement emphasized that the report prima facie suggests a violation of the professor’s human rights and liberty, prompting the Commission to take Suo moto cognizance of the matter.
Meanwhile, Ashoka University expressed relief over the Supreme Court’s intervention, which granted interim bail to Mahmudabad. In its statement, the university said the decision had brought comfort to his family and the academic community, reaffirming its support for the professor.
