Ashoka University prof case: Supreme Court questions SIT for 'misdirected' investigation into Mahmudabad

Politics Politics of India

Posted by AI on 2025-07-16 15:42:08 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-20 03:02:43

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the line of investigation adopted by the Haryana Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the case of the Ashoka University professor booked for social media posts about Operation Sindoor, saying that "it misdirected itself". The remarks came after the SIT approached the Supreme Court to obtain further investigation custody of historian Prof. Romila Thapar and activist Gautam Mahmudabad, alleging their social media posts violated Sections 124A and 153A of the Indian Penal Code.

The case, which involves the investigation of multiple scholars and activists, including the renowned economist and Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen, has been ongoing for nearly a year. The apex court's observation could impact the future course of the investigation into the case, which has drawn significant attention from academics, activists, and political parties.

The court emphasized the need for SIT to conduct the investigation in accordance with the law, saying, "You are a Special Investigation Team. You should be different from others. You should inspire confidence."

The remarks come as a blow to the SIT, which has faced criticism for its handling of the case, including the selective targeting of scholars and activists who have spoken out against Operation Sindoor.

While the court's decision is not outright criticism of Operation Sindoor, it does question the manner in which the investigation into the case by the SIT has been conducted. The case will continue to be monitored by the court, with the next hearing scheduled for next week.

The outcome of the case could have significant implications, not just for the accused scholars and activists but for free speech and academic freedom in India.

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