The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended the interim bail granted to Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad and directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to probe the case, to submit a status report on its investigation, reported PTI.The Haryana government informed the court that the SIT had been formed in compliance with the earlier order and that Mahmudabad had joined the probe.Taking note of the submission, the Bench asked the SIT to file its investigation report and also sought a response from Haryana Police regarding the notice issued to them by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).While extending the professor’s interim bail, the court reiterated that there is no restriction on his right to freedom of speech and expression. However, it maintained the earlier condition restraining him from posting any content online related to the ongoing cases.Mahmudabad was arrested over alleged offensive online posts linked to Operation Sindoor — India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. On May 21, the Supreme Court had granted him interim bail while refusing to stay the two FIRs filed by the Haryana Police.In its earlier order, the court had directed the formation of an SIT to replace the Haryana Police in investigating the case, specifying that no officers from Haryana or Delhi should be included in the team. The direction came in response to Mahmudabad’s petition challenging his arrest, in which he stated that his comments were misunderstood.While granting interim bail, the court imposed certain conditions, including a gag order on posting any further online commentary about the conflict. Though it upheld the constitutional right to free speech, the court had criticised Mahmudabad’s choice of words, calling them “dog whistling” that could be interpreted as intended to humiliate or discomfort others.
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