Institute of Legal and Management Studies

During the hearing of Ali Khan Mahmudabad's case, the Supreme Court today questioned Haryana government about the National Human Rights Commission taking cognizance of the manner of registration of FIR against the Ashoka University Professor.

"Have you responded to the Human Rights Commission? We read...Human Rights Commission has probably taken cognizance of the manner in which FIR was registered. Have you responded? You tell us about that also", Justice Surya Kant posed to the Haryana Additional Advocate General.

For context, on May 21, the NHRC took suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding Mahmudabad's arrest and remand to custody. In a press release, the Commission said that a gist of the allegations based on which Mahmudabad was arrested disclosed prima facie violation of his human rights and liberty. Being of the said view, the NHRC called on the Director General of Police, Haryana to submit a detailed report.

Today, a bench of Justices Kant and Dipankar Datta refused to relax Mahmudabad's bail conditions (including some restraints on writing articles, etc.) at the present stage. However, it suggested that the aspect be highlighted on the next date.

Turning to the Haryana Additional Advocate General, who submitted that an SIT had been constituted pursuant to the Court's order and investigation was ongoing, the Court clarified that the scope of SIT probe is restricted to the 2 FIRs which are subject matter of the case before the Supreme Court.

Mahmudabad is facing offences under Section 196, 152 etc., of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, inter-alia, pertaining to acts prejudicial to maintaining communal harmony, making assertions likely to cause disharmony, acts endangering national sovereignty and words or gestures intended to insult a woman's modesty.

He was arrested on May 18 pursuant to the FIR lodged by Haryana police over his social media post on 'Operation Sindoor' and remained in custody until May 21, when he was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court. On this date, the Court refused to stay the investigation and directed the Haryana DGP to constitute a Special Investigation Team to investigate and understand the true meaning of the Professor's post.

Case Details : MOHAMMAD AMIR AHMAD @ ALI KHAN MAHMUDABAD Versus STATE OF HARYANA | W.P.(Crl.) No. 219/2025