Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who was arrested in May over contentious social media posts on Operation Sindoor, has moved the Supreme Court seeking the release of his passport, which he had surrendered as a condition for bail.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi on Monday said the plea will be considered on November 18.
Appearing for the Haryana government, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju said the professor could travel abroad after furnishing his itinerary. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Mahmudabad, argued that since the state had no objection, the passport should be released.
Background of the case
Mahmudabad was arrested by the Haryana Police on May 18 following two FIRs, one based on a complaint by Haryana State Commission for Women chairperson Renu Bhatia and another by a village sarpanch in Sonipat.
The Supreme Court had granted him interim bail on May 21, directing him to surrender his passport and cooperate with the probe.
Later, the court restrained the trial court from framing charges after the Haryana SIT filed a chargesheet. Mahmudabad faces charges under Sections 152, 353, 79, and 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for posts allegedly endangering India’s sovereignty and integrity.
