NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad’s Arrest; Seeks Report from Haryana DGP

On May 21, 2025, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of the arrest and remand of Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a political science professor at Ashoka University, in connection with his social media post regarding ‘Operation Sindoor’.  The NHRC observed that, prima facie, the professor’s human rights and liberty appear to have been violated. 

NHRC’s Action:

The NHRC issued a notice to the Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana, requesting a detailed report on the matter within one week.


Supreme Court’s Intervention:

Earlier the same day, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Professor Mahmudabad, who had been in custody since May 18, 2025.  The Court declined to stay the ongoing investigation but directed the Haryana DGP to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within 24 hours.  This SIT is to comprise senior IPS officers not affiliated with Haryana or Delhi, including at least one female officer, and be led by an officer of IG rank. 

Conditions Imposed:

Professor Mahmudabad is prohibited from making any public statements or social media posts related to the subject matter of the case or expressing opinions on terrorist attacks on Indian soil and India’s counter-responses.

He is required to fully cooperate with the investigation and surrender his passport.


Legal Context:

Professor Mahmudabad faces charges under Sections 196 and 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, among others, which pertain 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.