Haryana Yet to Clear Prosecution of Ashoka Professor

• Haryana tells Supreme Court sanction to prosecute is pending
• Court hints case may close if state declines prosecution
• Mahmudabad on interim bail over Operation Sindoor posts
• CJI urges responsible conduct by professor

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th Jan: The Haryana government on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that it has not yet granted sanction to prosecute Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an associate professor and head of the Political Science department at Ashoka University, over his social media posts related to Operation Sindoor.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that if the state ultimately decides not to grant sanction, the case against Mahmudabad could be closed. The court said it would then not examine the merits of the allegations, treating it as a one-time lenient view.

“If the competent authority takes a lenient view, the issue can be closed. In that case, we need not go into the merits,” the Chief Justice said.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for Haryana, told the court that he would seek instructions on the matter. The bench also reminded Mahmudabad to act responsibly if the proceedings are closed. “If they show magnanimity, then you also have to be responsible,” CJI Kant said.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had granted interim bail to Mahmudabad while refusing to stay the two FIRs lodged against him by Haryana Police. The professor had moved the top court challenging his arrest over social media posts linked to Operation Sindoor.

Mahmudabad was arrested from his Delhi residence after two separate cases were registered against him. He has been charged with, among other offences, endangering India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity. The Haryana State Women’s Commission had also termed his remarks as disparaging towards women officers in the Armed Forces and said they promoted communal disharmony.

Mahmudabad has maintained that his comments were misunderstood.