New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad’s social media posts on Operation Sindoor to complete its investigation within four weeks. The court also clarified that its earlier order did not bar the professor from expressing opinions on topics other than those sub judice.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi expressed concern over the SIT’s approach, questioning whether it was straying from its mandate. “We are asking why SIT is, on the face of it, misdirecting itself. They were supposed to examine the contents of the posts,” Justice Kant observed.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Mahmudabad, argued that the Supreme Court’s order dated May 28 had limited the SIT’s inquiry strictly to the contents of the two social media posts which led to the professor’s arrest. However, the SIT had seized Mahmudabad’s devices and was reportedly questioning him about his foreign travel over the past decade.
Sibal contended that this constituted a “roving inquiry” that went beyond the Supreme Court’s instructions. “The academician has already been summoned four times,” he said, implying that further summons were unnecessary and beyond the court’s directive.
In response, counsel for the Haryana government argued that the investigating officer retained discretion over the manner of conducting the probe and maintained that any potentially incriminating information should be investigated.
The court, however, disagreed with the state’s stance and said that Mahmudabad should not be summoned again. Justice Kant pointedly remarked to the state’s counsel, “You don’t require him. You require a dictionary.”
Reinforcing its earlier directive, the bench said in its order, “Though it may not be expedient or desirable for us to comment on the manner in which the SIT has proceeded, we however deem it to remind it the mandate contained in our order dated May 28 and consequently direct the SIT to conclude its investigation with reference to the contents of the two social media posts as early as possible but not later than four weeks.”
It added that since Mahmudabad had already cooperated by joining the investigation and handing over his personal devices, it appeared unnecessary to summon him further.
The case stems from Mahmudabad’s posts regarding Operation Sindoor, which led to his arrest and subsequent bail. The top court’s latest intervention seeks to ensure that the investigation remains focused and time-bound.