Ashoka University prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad arrested over Operation Sindoor remarks moves Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to list a petition challenging the arrest of Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an associate professor at Ashoka University, Sonipat, over certain remarks on Operation Sindoor..The matter was mentioned before the bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal."He has been arrested for a patriotic statement. Please list it," Sibal submitted, while seeking listing of the case on Tuesday or Wednesday.CJI Gavai acceded to the request and directed that the plea be listed..Mahmudabad was remanded to 2-day police custody on Sunday after the Haryana police arrested him from Delhi, following the registration of two separate cases..Operation Sindoor refers to India's cross-border military response to Pakistan, following the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22 that killed 26 civilians in India. In a Facebook post, Mahmudabad wrote that with Operation Sindoor, India had sent a message to Pakistan that, "if you don’t deal with your terrorism problem then we will!" He went on to criticise those who blindly advocate war, noting, "The loss of civilian life is tragic on both sides and is the main reason why war should be avoided. There are those who are mindlessly advocating for a war but they have never seen one let alone lived in or visited a conflict zone ..."He also urged right-wing supporters praising Colonel Sofiya Qureshi - who led the media briefing on Operation Sindoor - to also speak up for victims of mob lynchings and arbitrary demolitions of properties.He further remarked that the "optics" of having Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh lead the briefings should be reflected in real change on the ground, stating that otherwise, it amounts to mere hypocrisy..The first case against Mahmudabad was lodged based on a complaint by Yogesh Jatheri under Sections 196 (promoting hatred), 197 (imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration), 152 (endanger the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India), and 299 (culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The second first information report (FIR) followed a complaint by Haryana Women’s Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia and included charges under Sections 353 (public mischief), 79 (insult to modesty), 152 of the BNS. The State Women's Commission had earlier termed Mahmudabad's social media comments as disparaging toward women officers in the Indian Armed Forces, adding that it also promoted communal disharmony. It had issued a show-cause notice as well to the associate professor. In a statement posted on X (Twitter), Mahmudabad said that the commission had completely misread his comments and inverted their meaning. .Mahmudabad is expected to be produced before the trial court next on May 20 at 2PM.