Remarks on Operation Sindoor: SC Gives State 6 Weeks on Sanction, Extends Interim Protection to Ashoka Professor
Supreme Court continued interim directions protecting Ashoka Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad as state government delayed sanction in FIR case
Supreme Court continued interim protection for Ashoka Professor in FIR case over 'Operation Sindoor' social media posts
The Supreme Court on Tuesday continued its interim protection in favour of an Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad facing multiple FIRs over his social media posts related to ‘Operation Sindoor’, 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.
The ASG sought additional time to obtain clear instructions on whether the State intends to withhold sanction altogether and close the matter as a “one-time magnanimity”.
Taking note of the submission, the Bench posted the case after six weeks and directed that the interim order protecting the professor would continue in the meantime.
“We will post the matter after six weeks. The interim direction shall continue,” the CJI said.
The Court also 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.
Recently, 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.
Recently, 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: January 6, 2026
Bench: CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi