Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad Heads To Supreme Court Against Arrest

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday decided to hear a petition filed by Ashoka University’s associate professor and head of the political science department, Ali Khan Mahmudabad, challenging his recent arrest by Haryana Police over social media comments regarding Operation Sindoor.

The matter was mentioned before the bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal for urgent hearing. The bench agreed to take up the matter for hearing on May 20 (Tuesday) or 21 (Wednesday).

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

“He has been arrested for a patriotic statement. Please list it,” Bar and Bench quotes Sibal as stating.

After the arrest made on Sunday, Mahmudabad has been remanded to police custody until Tuesday. 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.

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

The panel sought an explanation from him in the form of an affidavit. The Professor, however, made it clear that his entire comments were about safeguarding the lives of both citizens and soldiers, while underlining that there was “nothing remotely misogynistic about my comments that could be construed as anti-women.”

He stated that he only exercised his fundamental right to freedom of speech in order to promote peace and harmony, while pointing out that the commission “completely misunderstood” his remarks.

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.