Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad Walks Out Of Sonepat Jail After SC Grants Him Bail

Ashoka University associate professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been released from Sonepat district jail following the Supreme Court's decision to grant him interim bail on Wednesday.

Professor Mahmudabad, who leads the Political Science department at Ashoka University, was arrested on 18 May over a social media post related to "Operation Sindoor," India's military retaliation to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack.

Photo Credit: PTI

The post resulted in two FIRs being lodged against him by BJP youth leader Yogesh Jatheri and the Chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, Renu Bhatia.

The complaints alleged that his remarks incited enmity and posed a threat to national integrity.

While granting bail, the Supreme Court criticised Mahmudabad's language and stressed the importance of striking a balance between freedom of speech and civic responsibility.

The court also directed the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the intent and context behind his statements.

His arrest drew major backlash from academics, human rights advocates, and political figures, who deemed it an assault on academic freedom and the right to free expression.

The Faculty Association of Ashoka University denounced the arrest, calling the charges "groundless and untenable."

NHRC Seeks Report on Ali Khan Mahmudabad's Arrest

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Haryana, expressing concern about possible violations of Mahmudabad's rights during his arrest and detention.

In a statement, the commission said it had reviewed a media report dated 20 May, which "contains a gist of the allegations on the basis of which he has been arrested."

"It discloses prima facie that the human rights and liberty of the said professor have been violated. Therefore, it has deemed it to be a fit case for taking suo moto cognisance of the reported incident," the statement added.

Ashoka University expressed appreciation for the Supreme Court's intervention.

"We are relieved and heartened by Prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad being granted interim bail by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. It has provided great comfort to his family and all of us at Ashoka University," the university said in a statement.