May 23, 2025

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Haryana Director General of Police regarding the arrest of Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad. The commission requested a detailed report within a week on the circumstances surrounding Professor Mahmudabad's arrest and detention. NHRC took suo motu cognizance of a media report highlighting the professor's arrest for allegedly making offensive posts related to Operation Sindoor. NHRC expressed concerns that the professor's human rights and liberty may have been violated. The media report raised suspicions of potential human rights violations regarding the arrest and treatment of the professor, prompting NHRC to intervene and seek clarifications from the law enforcement authorities in Haryana. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad but declined to stay the FIR lodged against him. The court directed the Haryana DGP to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising IPS officers to investigate the allegations made against Professor Mahmudabad, particularly concerning his remarks during Operation Sindoor. Upholding the importance of freedom of speech while scrutinizing the professor's statements, the bench asserted that everyone has the right to express their opinions but questioned the appropriateness of his timing and content. The court highlighted the sensitivity of the situation, emphasizing that inflammatory remarks during a period of national crisis could be seen as attempting to gain unwarranted attention. The bench stressed that while Mahmudabad can express his views, there are limits to such expressions, especially when they touch upon delicate subjects like mob violence and justice delivery during times of heightened tensions. The court refrained Mahmudabad from making any further statements on Operation Sindoor or related issues and found no justification to halt the ongoing investigations. The bench evaluated Mahmudabad's comments in light of similar instances, emphasizing the need for responsible communication during turbulent times. The court's decision to restrict Mahmudabad's public discourse on sensitive matters reflects a broader concern for maintaining social harmony and preventing any potential escalation of tensions due to provocative statements.

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Tags: Nhrc, Haryana dgp, Ali khan mahmudabad, Operation sindoor, Human rights violations,