The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad. He had challenged his arrest after posting on Facebook about Operation Sindoor—India’s military strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Police from Haryana arrested the political science professor on Sunday, acting on two complaints. One came from Renu Bhatia, the chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, and the other from the sarpanch of Jatheri village. Critics argue that the complaints misread Mahmudabad’s post. They note that he did not criticize Operation Sindoor or the two women military officers who briefed the media.
His arrest triggered widespread backlash. The Haryana police took Mahmudabad from his home in Delhi and brought him to Sonipat. Many pointed out the stark contrast between this swift action and the delay by Madhya Pradesh police in addressing controversial remarks made by state minister Vijay Shah. Shah’s comments, which mentioned Col. Sofiya Qureshi, had communal undertones. On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected Shah’s apology and ordered a Special Investigation Team led by a female officer to probe the matter.
ALSO READ: EaseMyTrip CEO Nishant Pitti Under ED Scanner in Mahadev Betting App Scam
In his post, Ashoka University professor Mahmudabad wrote:
“I am very happy to see so many right-wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureshi, but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing, and others who are victims of the BJP’s hate mongering be protected as Indian citizens. The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it’s just hypocrisy.”
The Women’s Commission claimed that his remarks insulted women in the armed forces and stirred communal tensions.
Haryana police booked him under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These include Section 152 (acts endangering the sovereignty or integrity of India), Section 353 (statements promoting public mischief), Section 79 (insulting the modesty of a woman), and Section 196(1) (promoting enmity between groups based on religion).
On Tuesday, Mahmudabad’s lawyer Kapil Balyan confirmed that the court had sent him to judicial custody until May 27. Police had asked for an extension of his remand by seven days. However, the court denied the request and ended his two-day police custody.
