Latest news with #Mahmudabad
United News of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
SC asks SIT to focus only on Mahmudabad's ‘Op Sindoor' posts; bars further summons
New Delhi, July 16 (UNI) The Supreme Court today questioned the Haryana Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) for allegedly misdirecting itself in the probe against Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad over his two social media posts on 'Operation Sindoor'. A bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi observed that the SIT was formed specifically to investigate the contents of the two posts and asked why it was expanding the scope of inquiry. The observation came after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mahmudabad, submitted that the SIT had seized his devices and was asking about his foreign trips over the last ten years, despite the court's May 28 order limiting the probe to the posts. 'We just want to know from SIT for what purpose they have seized devices. We will call them (officers),' Justice Kant said, adding, 'we are asking why SIT is, on the face of it, misdirecting itself. They were supposed to examine contents of the posts.' ASG SV Raju, appearing for Haryana, submitted that the manner of investigation was the prerogative of the investigating officer and all incriminating aspects had to be examined. Sibal countered that there could not be a 'roving inquiry' and added that Mahmudabad had already been summoned four times. Taking note of the SIT's interim report acknowledging the seizure of devices and their forensic examination, the court recorded that Mahmudabad had cooperated with the investigation and surrendered his devices. Directing that he should not be summoned again, Justice Kant remarked, 'You don't require him, you require a dictionary.' The bench dictated its order stating, 'Though it may not be expedient or desirable for us to comment on the manner in which SIT has proceeded, we deem it necessary to remind it of 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.' The court also clarified that Mahmudabad, while restrained from commenting on sub judice issues, was free to write or express opinions on other topics. On May 21, the court had granted interim bail to Mahmudabad and directed the Haryana DGP to constitute an SIT comprising senior IPS officers not belonging to Haryana or Delhi to examine his two posts. It had clarified that the SIT probe would remain confined to these two FIRs and could not be expanded. During the hearing today, the court also asked the Haryana government about its response to the National Human Rights Commission taking cognizance of the registration of FIRs in the case. 'You tell us about that also,' Justice Kant told the Haryana AAG. Mahmudabad was arrested on May 18 over his posts on 'Operation Sindoor' and remained in custody until May 21. He faces charges under Section 196, 152, and other provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to acts prejudicial to communal harmony, making assertions likely to cause disharmony, acts endangering national sovereignty, and words or gestures intended to insult a woman's modesty. UNI SNG PRS
Economic Times
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
SC asks SIT to confine itself to probe related to professor's Facebook post
The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the special investigation team (SIT), set up to examine Facebook posts of Ashoka University assistant professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad on Operation Sindoor, on "misdirecting itself".A bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymala Bagchi verbally observed that SIT was "unnecessarily expanding the scope" of its probe. The bench reiterated that the SIT must confine its investigation to the two first information reports already filed against Mahmudabad for his two "objectionable" Facebook posts. "Why is SIT on the face of it misdirecting itself? They can say that the article (by Mahmudabad) is an opinion and does not constitute an offence or otherwise!" Justice Kant verbally remarked. SC also turned down a request made by the counsel for SIT for giving it two months to complete its probe. "SIT can always say that there is nothing in this FIR. But we are examining other issues. Why take two months for this? Then this case can be closed," the bench orally remarked. The bench directed the SIT to not summon Mahmudabad again for questioning, after noting that he had already joined the investigation earlier and that certain electronic devices owned by him were also examined. The SC also ordered the SIT to finish its probe in four weeks, making it clear that its investigation must be strictly limited to the language and content of the two Facebook posts uploaded by Mahmudabad on the Pahalgam terror attack. Interim protection from arrest that was granted to Mahmudabad will also continue, the SC added.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SC asks SIT to confine itself to probe related to professor's Facebook post
The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the special investigation team ( SIT ), set up to examine Facebook posts of Ashoka University assistant professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad on Operation Sindoor , on "misdirecting itself". A bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymala Bagchi verbally observed that SIT was "unnecessarily expanding the scope" of its probe. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Cybersecurity Data Science PGDM Design Thinking Technology Others Data Analytics Public Policy Degree MBA Finance healthcare Healthcare Project Management MCA Product Management Digital Marketing CXO Artificial Intelligence Data Science Management others Leadership Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details The bench reiterated that the SIT must confine its investigation to the two first information reports already filed against Mahmudabad for his two "objectionable" Facebook posts. "Why is SIT on the face of it misdirecting itself? They can say that the article (by Mahmudabad) is an opinion and does not constitute an offence or otherwise!" Justice Kant verbally remarked. SC also turned down a request made by the counsel for SIT for giving it two months to complete its probe. "SIT can always say that there is nothing in this FIR. But we are examining other issues. Why take two months for this? Then this case can be closed," the bench orally remarked. The bench directed the SIT to not summon Mahmudabad again for questioning, after noting that he had already joined the investigation earlier and that certain electronic devices owned by him were also examined. The SC also ordered the SIT to finish its probe in four weeks, making it clear that its investigation must be strictly limited to the language and content of the two Facebook posts uploaded by Mahmudabad on the Pahalgam terror attack . Interim protection from arrest that was granted to Mahmudabad will also continue, the SC added.
Hindustan Times
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘You need a dictionary': SC to probe team as Ashoka prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad gets relief
The Supreme Court on Wednesday remarked that the probe team looking into two social media by professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad was apparently 'misdirecting itself'. It added that since Mahmudabad had cooperated with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and surrendered his devices, he need not be summoned again. Ashoka University associate professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad has said his comments on Operation Sindoor were misunderstood.(X/HT File) "You don't require him (Mahmudabad), you require a dictionary," Justice Surya Kant said, according to news agency ANI. Mahmudabad, associate professor and head of the political science department at Ashoka University in Haryana's Sonipat, got interim bail on May 21 after his arrest by the state police on May 18 over two Facebook posts related to Operation Sindoor. On Wednesday, the bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi set a four-week deadline for the investigation team, which the SC had formed to probe the two social media posts. The court also explained that its bail conditions allowed the professor to write articles and opinions online, except on matters that are sub judice. From the SIT, it enquired why it was expanding its scope beyond the two posts, though, and why it needed his gadgets at all. "We are asking why the SIT is, on the face of it, misdirecting itself. They were supposed to examine the contents of the posts," Justice Kant told Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who was representing the state. 'Why take gadgets, ask about foreign trips?' The court's remarks came after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Mahmudabad, told the bench that the SIT had not only seized his devices but was questioning him over his foreign trips of the last 10 years. He has been summoned four times by the SIT, Sibal said. Sibal said that by its May 28 order, the top court had directed the SIT to confine its probe to the contents of the social media posts. The bench thus noted that Mahmudabad has cooperated with the investigation and surrendered his devices; therefore, he should not be summoned again. Mahmudabad is charged with, among other things, endangering India's sovereignty, unity and integrity for his comments on Operation Sindoor. The State Women's Commission had earlier termed Mahmudabad's social media comments as disparaging toward women officers in the Indian Armed Forces and said it also promoted communal disharmony. Mahmudabad clarified that his comments had been completely misunderstood.
Scroll.in
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Rush Hour: SC limits SIT probe to Ashoka professor's posts, stay on ‘Udaipur Files' upheld and more
We're building a brand-new studio to bring you bold ground reports, sharp interviews, hard-hitting podcasts, explainers and more. Support Scroll's studio fund today. The Supreme Court told the Haryana Police's Special Investigation Team that its probe should be limited to the two social media posts made by Ashoka University Associate Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad about the press briefings on Operation Sindoor. The investigation team only 'requires a dictionary' and not further custody of Mahmudabad, said the bench. This came after Mahmudabad's counsel told the bench that the SIT had gone against the court's previous order and seized his electronic devices, in addition to questioning him about trips he had made abroad in the last 10 years. The court directed the police to complete their probe within four weeks. It also clarified that the bail conditions on Mahmudabad only restrain him from commenting publicly about the matter, not other topics. Read on. The Supreme Court refused to lift the stay on the release of the film Udaipur Files, which is reportedly based on the 2022 killing of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal. On June 10, the Delhi High Court stayed the film's release and directed the Union government to examine its contents. On Wednesday, the court said that it expects the Union government to take its decision 'immediately, without loss of time' and listed the matter for further hearing on July 21. In June 2022, Lal was killed for purportedly sharing a social media post in support of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. She had made disparaging remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a television debate in May 2022. The High Court's stay on the release came on a batch of petitions that had alleged the film was communally provocative and vilified the Muslim community. Read on. North Atlantic Treaty Organization chief Mark Rutte has warned that countries such as India, China and Brazil could face secondary sanctions if they continue to trade with Russia amid its war on Ukraine. 'So please make the phone call to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way,' Rutte added. NATO is a military alliance of 32 countries, including the United States and several members of the European Union. India and China are among the countries whose imports of cheaper fuel from Russia have increased since 2022. This has raised concerns in Washington that high volume purchases are undermining the attempts to squeeze the Russian economy and thus, indirectly, helping finance its military operations in Ukraine. Read on. Two suspected Maoists have been killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jharkhand's Bokaro district. Central Reserve Police Force member Parneswar Koch was also killed in the exchange of fire. The gunfight between the suspected Maoists and the security forces took place at about 5.30 am in the Birhordera forest in the Gomia police station area. This year, 21 suspected Maoists have been killed across Jharkhand in 14 gunfights with security forces. The Union government has repeatedly vowed to end Maoism by March 31, 2026. Read on.
