On May 21, 2025, the Supreme Court of India granted interim bail to Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who had been arrested over a social media post related to Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The court, however, imposed a gag order, barring Mahmudabad from making public statements or writing about the case, including on topics related to the Pahalgam attack and India’s counter-response. Additionally, he was instructed to surrender his passport and cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

The Supreme Court also directed the Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including a woman officer, from outside Haryana or Delhi. The SIT is tasked with examining the context and intent of Mahmudabad’s statements.

Mahmudabad’s arrest had sparked significant debate, with critics arguing that it represented an assault on free speech and academic freedom. The Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail while imposing restrictions reflects a nuanced approach, balancing individual rights with national security concerns.

Sources