NHRC Seeks Report from Haryana DGP on Arrest of Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad
(Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
New Delhi, May 21—The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken Suo motu cognizance of media reports regarding the arrest and judicial custody of Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad in Haryana.
In a press release issued moments ago, the commission stated that the allegations leading to his arrest suggest prima facie violations of his human rights and liberty. In light of these concerns, the NHRC has issued a formal notice to Haryana’s Director General of Police, requesting a detailed report on the matter within one week.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Mahmudabad in connection with a Haryana Police FIR over his social media posts related to ‘Operation Sindoor.’ He had been in custody since his arrest on May 18. While granting bail, the court declined to halt the ongoing investigation but instructed the Haryana DGP to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within 24 hours. This SIT will consist of senior IPS officers from outside Haryana and Delhi to ensure an impartial inquiry. Additionally, one member of the SIT must be a woman. The team will be headed by an IG-rank officer, with the other two members holding SP-rank positions.
As a condition of his interim bail, Mahmudabad has been prohibited from publishing any posts or articles related to the subject matter of the case or expressing opinions on the recent terrorist attack and India’s counter-response.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India takes Suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding the arrest and remand to custody of a Professor of Ashoka University in Haryana
Observes the report discloses, prima facie, the violation of the human rights and liberty of the Professor
Issues a notice to the Director General of Police, Haryana, calling for a detailed report in the matter within one week
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has come across a news report dated 20th May, 2025 regarding the arrest and remand to custody of a Professor of Ashoka University (a deemed to be University) in Haryana.
The Commission has noted that the report, which contains a gist of the allegations on the basis of which he has been arrested, discloses, prima facie, that the human rights and liberty of the said Professor have been violated. Therefore, it has deemed it to be a fit case for taking Suo motu cognizance of the reported incident.
Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Haryana, calling for a detailed report in the matter within one week.
