The Supreme Court on Wednesday sharply questioned the Haryana Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) approach in the case of Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, booked for his social media posts on Operation Sindoor. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi stated that the SIT had "misdirected itself" and instructed it to focus solely on the content of the two First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against Mahmudabad to determine if an offence was committed. The SIT, led by a senior police officer, was directed to submit its report within four weeks.

The court expressed concern over the SIT’s actions, particularly the seizure of Mahmudabad’s electronic devices, including his cell phones, deeming it unnecessary. "Why is the SIT, on the face of it, misdirecting itself? They were supposed to examine the contents of the posts," Justice Kant remarked. The bench also noted that since Mahmudabad was cooperating with the investigation, there was no need to summon him again.

In a significant move, the Supreme Court relaxed the bail conditions imposed on Mahmudabad on May 21, 2025, allowing him to write posts, articles, and express opinions freely, except on the ongoing case, which remains sub judice. On May 28, the court had clarified that there was no restriction on his right to free speech and expression, except for sharing content related to the cases against him. The professor was granted interim bail on May 21, though the court declined to halt the investigation.

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Mahmudabad was arrested by Haryana Police on May 18, 2025, following two FIRs filed against him in Sonipat’s Rai police station. The FIRs, one based on a complaint by Haryana State Commission for Women chairperson Renu Bhatia and the other by a village sarpanch, alleged that his posts on Operation Sindoor endangered India’s sovereignty and integrity. The charges include sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to acts threatening national unity, public mischief, insulting a woman’s modesty, and promoting enmity between religious groups.

The arrest sparked widespread condemnation from political parties and academicians, who criticized the authorities’ handling of the case. The Supreme Court’s latest directives aim to refocus the investigation while safeguarding Mahmudabad’s rights during the probe.

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