The Supreme Court of India on Monday put a temporary hold on trial proceedings against Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who is facing two police cases over a controversial social media post regarding Operation Sindoor.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed the Haryana Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) not to frame charges against the professor until further orders. During the hearing, the police informed the court that a closure report had already been submitted in one of the two FIRs registered against him.

Professor Mahmudabad, who was arrested on May 18, had posted comments on the government’s selection of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh for briefings related to Operation Sindoor—a military operation launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The post drew widespread criticism, leading to his arrest under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:

Section 152: Acts endangering the sovereignty or unity of India

Section 353: Statements conducing to public mischief

Section 79: Actions aimed at insulting the modesty of a woman

Section 196(1): Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion

The Supreme Court had granted Mahmudabad bail three days after his arrest, with restrictions preventing him from publicly commenting on the case or Operation Sindoor and requiring him to surrender his passport. On May 28, the court relaxed these conditions, allowing him to express opinions on other matters while refraining from commenting on the sub judice case.