Supreme Quashes Criminal Proceedings Against Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad For Comments On 'Operation Sindoor'

The Supreme Court has quashed the criminal proceedings against Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, following a statement by the State of Haryana that it would not grant a sanction for his prosecution as a "one-time magnanimity."

The Bench disposed of the matter after Additional Solicitor General SV Raju confirmed that the state government had decided to drop the charges, which originally involved allegations of sedition and hurting religious sentiments regarding social media posts about "Operation Sindoor."

Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested by the Haryana Police on May 18, 2025, based on two FIRs registered against him- one on the complaint of a BJP office-bearer, and the other by the Haryana State Commission for Women. However, on May 21, 2025, he was released on interim bail.

The Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi ordered, "ASG SV Raju, on behalf of the State of Haryana, very gracefully states that as a one-time measure, the State Government has decided not to grant sanction for prosecution. Consequently, the proceedings pending before...chargehseet has already been filed...directed to be quashed for want of prosecution. We have no reason to doubt that the petitioner is a highly learned expert/professor and domain experts and will act in a prudent manner."

Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra appeared for the Petitioner, and ASG SV Raju appeared on behalf of the State of Haryana

ASG Raju submitted, "The order says as a one-time magnanimity, close the issue by not accoridng sanction so the sanction has been refused, as a one-time magnanimity. The chapter is closed. He may be warned not to be involved in similar activities again in the future."

Chief Justice Kant remarked, "This is very graceful...I do not want to say anything in open court...Sometimes writing in between the lines creates more problems...Sometimes the situation is so sensitive that we all have to be careful."

Previously, the Supreme Court restrained the Trial Court from framing charges against Professor Ali Mahmudabad.

The Court had also told Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad that there was no impediment on his right to speech and expression, but he couldn’t post anything online with respect to the cases against him.

Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested by the Haryana Police on May 18, 2025, based on two FIRs registered against him, one on the complaint of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office-bearer, and the other by the Haryana State Commission for Women. The FIRs invoked provisions pointing to sedition and hurting religious sentiments. The action was taken following his remarks on India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, which were posted on social media. The Women’s Commission had earlier summoned the professor, alleging his comments were inflammatory and anti-national.

On July 16, the Supreme Court directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to complete within four weeks its probe into the two FIRs registered against Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad over his social media posts commenting on “Operation Sindoor”. The Court also questioned the seizure of his digital devices, and clarified that Mahmudabad is entitled to express his views online, except on sub judice matters.

The Supreme Court on May 21, 2025, granted him interim bail but refused to stay the investigation. The Court directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within 24 hours, excluding officers from Haryana or Delhi and including one woman officer.

The Supreme Court said, “Everyone has the right to express… but is it the time to speak in such a communal tone? The country has faced a big challenge, civilians were attacked, and at that time… why are they trying to gain popularity on this occasion?”

In his social media post, Professor Mahmudabad said, "For me, the press conference was just a fleeting glimpse – an illusion and allusion perhaps – to an India that defied the logic on which Pakistan was built. As I said, the grassroots reality that common Muslims face is different from what the government tried to show but at the same time the press conference shows that an India, united in its diversity, is not completely dead as an idea."

Cause Title: Mohammad Amir Ahmad @ Ali Khan Mahmudabad v. State of Haryana (W.P.(Crl.) No. 219/2025)