Haryana drops case against Ashoka faculty Mahmudabad over Operation Sindoor remarks

Mahmudabad had approached the Supreme Court challenging his arrest and seeking to quash two first information reports (FIRs) registered against him over Facebook posts on Operation Sindoor

• Haryana refuses sanction to prosecute Ali Khan Mahmudabad
• Supreme Court cautions Mahmudabad to be prudent in future posts
• Mahmudabad's arrest linked to Facebook posts on Operation Sindoor

Did our AI summary help?

The Haryana government, on Monday, informed the Supreme Court that it will not grant sanction to prosecute Ashoka University faculty member Ali Khan Mahmudabad over social media comments he made last year on India’s cross-border military operation, Operation Sindoor. The state described the move as a "one-time magnanimity".

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was briefed on the decision during the morning hearing. Representing the Haryana government, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju stated that the decision to refuse sanction had been taken on March 3.

"As a one-time magnanimity, the sanction is refused. The chapter is closed. He can be warned that this is not repeated again. Refusal order is of March 3, 2026," Raju informed the apex court.

Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing Mahmudabad, expressed relief at the announcement. “We are grateful,” Luthra said.

The top court, while acknowledging the state’s decision, issued a caution to Mahmudabad to exercise prudence in the future.

"Sometimes writing in between the lines creates more problems. Sometimes the situation is so sensitive that we all have to be careful. Petitioner, being a highly learned person, shall act in a prudent manner in the future," CJI Kant remarked.

Mahmudabad had approached the Supreme Court challenging his arrest and seeking to quash two first information reports (FIRs) registered against him over Facebook posts on Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025.

In his posts, Mahmudabad had condemned the war, criticised Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, and highlighted that the accolades received by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who led India’s press briefing on Operation Sindoor, should also reflect the efforts on the ground. He further called on right-wing supporters in India to speak against mob lynching.

Soon after, two FIRs had been registered.

The first, based on a complaint by Yogesh Jatheri, cited offences under Sections 196 (promoting hatred), 197 (imputations prejudicial to national integration), 152 (endangering sovereignty), and 299 (culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The second FIR, following a complaint by Haryana Women’s Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia, included charges under Sections 353 (public mischief), 79 (insult to modesty), and 152 of the BNS.

Following this, Mahmudabad was arrested by the Haryana Police and sent to judicial custody. After approaching the Supreme Court, the investigation was transferred to a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

On May 21, 2025, the Supreme Court granted Mahmudabad interim bail subject to conditions, and in August 2025, it stayed the trial. However, the criminal trial could not proceed as the state had not granted sanction for two of the offences, despite the request being made as far back as August 22, 2025.

During a January 2026 hearing, the Supreme Court had granted the state three months to decide whether to approve prosecution. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Mahmudabad, argued that there was no basis for criminal proceedings. The court, while urging caution, advised Mahmudabad to exercise responsibility in his comments if the sanction was ultimately denied.

Following the state’s announcement on Monday, the top court reiterated its earlier advice, "Mahmudabad should exercise care in future statements and postings".