SC to hear Ashoka University professor's plea over arrest linked to social media post on Operation Sindoor

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea filed by Ashoka University’s associate professor and head of the political science department, Ali Khan Mahmudabad, challenging his recent arrest over a controversial social media post related to Operation Sindoor.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter before a bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai, seeking an urgent hearing. The court said it will list the matter for hearing on May 20 or 21.

Professor Mahmudabad was arrested on Sunday by the Delhi Police for allegedly making inflammatory remarks online concerning Operation Sindoor. He was taken into custody from Greater Kailash in South Delhi and subsequently handed over to Sonipat Police in Haryana. He is currently being questioned at the Rai Police Station in Sonipat.

According to ANI, authorities have confirmed that two FIRs have been filed against the professor.

During a press briefing, Sonipat Police DCP Narendra Singh stated that the arrest was based on a complaint filed by Women’s Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia. According to the police, Professor Mahmudabad failed to respond to summons issued by the Women’s Commission, prompting the commission to pursue legal action.

Ashoka University also issued a statement, saying, “We have been made aware that Prof. Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been taken into police custody earlier today. We are in the process of ascertaining details of the case. The University will continue to cooperate with the Police and local authorities in the investigation, fully.”

The arrest comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7 following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, including that of a Nepali national. The operation involved precision strikes that destroyed terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and eliminated nearly 100 terror operatives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a national address, hailed Operation Sindoor as a significant milestone in India’s counter-terrorism efforts. Referring to previous military actions such as the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 airstrikes in Pakistan, the Prime Minister said Operation Sindoor represents a “new normal” in India's approach to terrorism.