"Act Prudently In Future," Supreme Court Warns Prof. Mahmudabad As Case Over Operation Sindoor Remarks Gets Closed

The Supreme Court today was informed that Haryana government has refused to provide sanction for prosecuting Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad who was facing multiple FIRs over his social media posts related to ‘Operation Sindoor’.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju informed a CJI Kant led bench today, "As a one time magnanimity, the sanction is refused. The chapter is closed. He can be warned that this is not repeated again".

CJI Kant went on to note that sometimes writing in between the lines creates more problems. "Sometimes the situation is so sensitive that we all have to be careful," he said.

"Petitioner being a highly learned person shall act in a prudent manner in the future," the bench went on to advise Professor Mahmudabad.

In January, Supreme Court had continued its interim protection in favour of Mahmudabad noting that the State government has not yet granted sanction for prosecution despite a chargesheet being filed months ago.

Hearing the matter, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was informed by the Additional Solicitor General that although the chargesheet was filed in August 2025, the mandatory sanction from the State government has not been accorded so far. It had then listed the matter after 6 weeks.

Court had then orally observed that it expected responsible conduct from the petitioner during this period. “We are quite sure that he will also behave responsibly,” the CJI added.

The Court had earlier granted Mahmudabad interim bail and directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to examine the two posts forming the basis of the FIRs. In August, the Haryana Police informed the Court that it had filed a closure report in one FIR and a chargesheet in another. Taking note, the Court quashed the FIR in which a closure report was filed and passed an interim order restraining the magistrate from taking cognizance of the chargesheet in the remaining case. 

Supreme Court had directed the Special Investigation Team constituted as per its previous orders to confine its investigation against Ashoka University Professor Mahmudabad to the controversial posts made by him on Operation Sindoor. Furthermore, the SIT was directed to conclude its investigation into the case within a period of four weeks.

Earlier Supreme Court had refused to set aside two of the bail conditions imposed on Khan Mahmudabad who has been arrested by Haryana Police over controversial statements made on Operation Sindoor. As per the order granting interim bail to Mahmudabad, he was directed not to write any online post, article or any oral speech related to either of the two online posts, which are subject-matter of the investigation and also restrained from expressing any opinion in relation to the terrorist attack on Indian soil or the counter response given by our armed forces.

Khan is an associate professor and head of the department of political science at Ashoka University in Sonipat. In his tweet Khan urged right-wing commentators who praised Colonel Sofiya Qureshi - who led the media briefing on Operation Sindoor - to 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.

"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...", the tweet added.

A case was registered against Mahmudabad based on a complaint by Yogesh Jatheri under Sections 196, 197, 152 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The second FIR was registered following a complaint by Haryana Women’s Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia and included charges under Sections 353, 79 and 152 of the BNS. Khan had also issued a statement on May 14 saying his remarks had been “completely misunderstood” and that the commission had “no jurisdiction whatsoever” in the matter. “Contrary to the allegations, my post appreciated the fact that the armed forces chose Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh for the press conference to highlight that the dream of the founders of our Republic of an India united in its diversity, is still alive,” he had clarified.

Case Title: Mohammad Amir Ahmad@ Ali Khan Mahudabad v. State of Haryana

Hearing Date: March 16, 2026

Bench: CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi