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The Sonepat District Court set next date of hearing in the case as May 27.
Mahmudabad, who heads the Political Science department at Ashoka University, was arrested on Sunday by Haryana Police from his residence in Delhi and was remanded to two days of police custody after two FIRs were registered against him.
He has been charged with charges related to endangering India’s sovereignty and promoting communal disharmony.
Some perceived the professor’s social media post as critical of the military and disrespectful to women officers, particularly Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who were representing the armed forces during media briefings on Operation Sindoor alongside Vikram Misri.
Ashoka University, responding to the arrest, said in a statement, “We have been made aware that Prof. Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been taken into police custody earlier today. We are in the process of ascertaining details of the case. The University will continue to cooperate with the Police and local authorities in the investigation fully.”The arrest of Mahmudabad has sparked significant backlash from opposition leaders. Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram took to X to express his concerns, stating, “I have read and re-read the entire tweet of Prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad. Which portion of the statement did Haryana Police find objectionable and violative of law? Will someone from Haryana Police please enlighten us?”Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also criticized the arrest, and said, “The arrest of Ashoka University professor, Ali Khan Mahmudabad, shows how fearful the BJP is of any opinion disliked by them.”
He drew attention to other recent incidents, citing remarks made by Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and said, “BJP-RSS is hell bent on casting a narrative that anybody who represents pluralism or questions the government is a threat to its existence.” Kharge further remarked, “Supporting the Armed Forces and the government, when National Interest reigns supreme, does not mean that we cannot question the Government.”
The Supreme Court had agreed to hear Mahmudabad’s plea challenging his arrest. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih had said that the matter would be listed for hearing on May 20 or 21.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Mahmudabad, argued, “He has been arrested for a patriotic statement. Please list it.”
(With inputs from ANI)
