New Delhi, August 25 (HS): The Supreme Court on Monday quashed one FIR and restrained trial court proceedings in another case filed against Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad over his remarks on Operation Sindoor.

A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant passed the order after the Haryana Police informed that it had filed a closure report in one FIR and a chargesheet in the other. Acting on this, the court dismissed the FIR in which the closure report was submitted, while directing the trial court not to take cognizance of the chargesheet in the second FIR.

Earlier on July 16, the apex court had limited the ambit of the Haryana SIT’s probe to only two FIRs registered against Mahmudabad and clarified that the investigation should examine whether his social media posts amounted to an offence. The court had ruled that the SIT had no authority to seize his mobile phone or other electronic devices since he was cooperating with the probe. It also relaxed his bail conditions, allowing him to post, write, and express his views freely.

The court had, however, remarked that while every individual has the right to express views, Mahmudabad should have chosen words that were simple and respectful, especially at a time when the country was facing serious challenges.

Earlier in May, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mahmudabad, argued that his post on Operation Sindoor was “patriotic in tenor,” yet he was arrested and remanded to police custody. Two separate FIRs remain pending against him in Haryana.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar