Ashoka University Prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad Sent To Judicial custody, Police Request Denied

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sent Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad to judicial custody, denying the police request for custody. While hearing the remand petition, the Court pronounced this order. According to Bar and Bench report, police asked for custody of seven more days, but the judge rejected the request and remanded him to judicial custody.

A petition challenging Mahmudabad’s arrest is likely to be heard by the Supreme Court this week.  The matter was mentioned before the bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal on Monday for urgent hearing. “He has been arrested for a patriotic statement. Please list it,” Bar and Bench quotes Sibal as stating.

Also Read | Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad Arrested For Remark On Operation Sindoor Press Briefing

Ashoka University’s associate professor and head of the political science department, Mahmudabad was arrested on Sunday by Haryana Police over social media comments regarding Operation Sindoor. The arrest was made based on a complaint by Yogesh Jatheri, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s youth wing, under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to acts prejudicial to maintaining communal harmony, making assertions likely to cause disharmony, inciting secession, armed rebellion or subversive activities, and insulting religious beliefs. Professor has been remanded to police custody until Tuesday.

In a media briefing, Sonipat Police DCP Narendra Singh held that the arrest was based on a complaint filed by Women’s Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia. The Haryana State Women Commission, earlier expressed concerns about the disparagement of “women in uniform, including Col. Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh, as professional officers in India,” and accused the professor Mahmudabad of attempting to vilify national military actions.

Also Read | What Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad Said In His Post

According to the police, Professor Mahmudabad failed to respond to summons issued by the Women’s Commission, which was a reason behind pursuing legal action against him.