SC Calls Out ‘Misdirection’ In Operation Sindoor Case: Shields Prof. Ali Khan From Further FIR’s

Anam Sayyed
August 26, 2025

In a major turn of events, the Haryana Police disclosed to the Supreme Court that they have filed a closure report regarding a First Information Report(FIR) against Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who teaches political science at Ashok University.The professor shot into limelight after his social media commentary on ‘Operation Sindoor’, which led to another FIR being registered and charges being pressed against him.

Mahmudabad is presently implicated in offenses under Sections 196, 152, and others, related to communal harmony and the protection of national security.

Taking this matter into account, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi addressed the issues at hand and quashed the FIR associated with the closure report, while directing more prudent action with regards to the other FIR, effectively preventing the Magistrate from taking any cognisance of it.

The Additional Solicitor General of India, SV Raju, represented the Haryana Police throughout the proceedings.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, arguing on behalf of Mahmudabad, expressed strong disapproval over the police's decision to invoke Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, highlighting it as "most unfortunate," especially given that the law pertains to offenses against the nation.

Sibal further noted that the Supreme Court is currently evaluating the constitutionality of this specific section. In summarizing the court's latest decisions, it granted interim bail to Mahmudabad, ordering the Haryana DGP to establish a Special Investigation Team aimed at "holistically understanding the complexity of the phraseology employed and for proper appreciation of some of the expressions used in these two online posts."

During the most recent court session, a question was raised about the Haryana Police's Special Investigation Team's approach, which was critiqued as "misdirecting itself."

This comment arose after it was outlined that the SIT was initially formed to scrutinize Mahmudabad’s two specific social media posts, implying that the scope of the investigation should not widen unnecessarily.

Following further objections from Sibal, it was ascertained that the SIT had improperly seized Mahmudabad's devices and requested extensive background information that extended beyond the related posts.

The bench pointed out that the SIT should maintain focus strictly on the original content of those posts.

Additionally, the court recognized Mahmudabad's cooperation during the investigation and opted against summoning him again, while making it clear that he was not to be the focus of further inquiries, “You don’t require him (Mahmudabad), you require a dictionary,” Justice Kant quipped, promoting clarity in the probe.

The bench mandated the SIT to wrap up its investigation in four weeks.

Facts:

Background information reveals that Mahmudabad was initially arrested on May 18 due to an FIR instigated by the Haryana police related to his social media activities.

After spending time in custody, he was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on May 21, accompanied by conditions that restricted him from making further public statements related to the ongoing investigations.

The court addressed apprehensions regarding the potential filing of further FIRs connected to Mahmudabad's case, urging the Haryana government to ensure such developments would not occur.

The order further mentions