On Sunday, Mahmudabad had approached the Supreme Court, challenging his arrest. The apex court has agreed to urgently hear the petition on Wednesday. The top court’s causelist shows a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar will be hearing the matter.On May 19, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the associate professor, mentioned the case for urgent hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai.Mahmudabad’s arrest has triggered a wave of outrage from academics and Opposition parties, including the TMC, RJD, and AIMIM, who termed the action “deplorable” and “utterly condemnable.”The Ashoka University Faculty Association pledged its support for their colleague, describing him as an invaluable member of the university community, a highly responsible citizen, and a trusted friend to his students.The Haryana police registered two cases based on complaints filed by Yogesh Jatheri, a BJP Youth Morcha leader and the sarpanch of Jatheri village, and Haryana Women’s Commission chairperson Renu Bhatia. Mahmudabad was later arrested from Delhi.In a statement to the media on May 14, Mahmudabad said, “The Haryana State Commission for Women issued summons to me on May 12, 2025, in relation to certain posts made by me on social media. My lawyers have submitted a detailed reply to these summons and represented me before the Commission today, May 14, 2025. The screenshots attached to the notice make it clear that my remarks have been completely misunderstood and that the Commission has no jurisdiction whatsoever in the matter.”He added, “The Women’s Commission is a body that serves an important function; however, the summons issued to me fail to explain how my post violates any rights of, or laws protecting, women.“Contrary to the allegations, my post appreciated the fact that the armed forces chose Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh for a press conference, highlighting that the dream of our Republic’s founders, of an India united in its diversity, remains very much alive.”“This is a new form of censorship and harassment,” Mahmudabad said, referring to the actions of the Commission. “I have faith in the process of law and know that my fundamental, constitutional, and statutory rights will be protected,” he added.
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