New Delhi [India], June 6 (HBTV): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report concerning the arrest and custody remand of an Ashoka University professor in Haryana, citing potential violations of his human rights and liberty.

In a statement, the NHRC said it had issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Haryana, seeking a detailed report within one week.

'The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has come across a news report dated 20th May, 2025 regarding the arrest and remand to custody of a Professor of Ashoka University (a deemed to be University) in Haryana. The Commission has noted that the report, which contains a gist of the allegations on the basis of which he has been arrested, discloses, prima facie, that the human rights and liberty of the said Professor have been violated. Therefore, it has deemed it to be a fit case for taking suo motu cognisance of the reported incident. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Haryana, calling for a detailed report in the matter within one week,' the NHRC stated.

Earlier, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Ali Khan Mahmudabad, Associate Professor and Head of the Political Science Department at Ashoka University in Haryana. He was arrested over a social media post concerning Operation Sindoor.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh declined to stay the two FIRs filed by Haryana Police but ordered Mahmudabad's release on interim bail.

'We direct the petitioner to be released on interim bail subject to furnishing of bail bonds to the satisfaction of the CJM Sonepat,' stated the court, imposing several conditions on his release.

The apex court barred the professor from making any further online posts or speeches on the issue. He was directed not to publish any articles, make online statements, or deliver speeches related to the subject matter of the case. Additionally, he was restrained from making any remarks concerning terrorist attacks on Indian soil or India’s counter-responses.

The bench also instructed Mahmudabad to surrender his passport and ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within 24 hours to probe the matter. The court directed that the SIT be composed of senior IPS officers not belonging to either Haryana or Delhi, including at least one woman officer. The team should be led by an officer of Inspector General rank, with the other two members of Superintendent of Police rank.

(ANI)