Don't expand scope: Supreme Court to SIT probing Ashoka University Professor case

SC has ordered that the scope of SIT, constituted to probe Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad for his social media posts on Operation Sindoor, should not be expanded. A bench headed by justice Surya Kant said the probe being carried out by SIT should remain confined to the two FIRs registered against the professor for his Facebook post. This was ordered after SC was told that Khan's premises needed to be searched. Khan's counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, raised the issue of authorities seeking access to Khan's digital devices.

Justice Kant verbally remarked that FIRs were already part of the record. "Both FIRs are a matter of record. Where is the question of his devices? Don't try to expand the scope. SIT is free to form an opinion. Don't go left and right. Just focus on the two FIRs," Justice Kant told the counsel for the Haryana government.

"We direct that the investigation of SIT shall be confined to the contents of the two FIRs subject matter of these proceedings. The investigation report, before it is filed before jurisdictional court, be produced before this court," SC ordered. The bench also extended the stay on his arrest till further orders.


SC refused to relax the conditions imposed by it at the last hearing on Khan. His counsel specifically objected to the condition that restricted him from making online posts and comments. The bench said the restriction imposed on Khan is limited to the subject matter of investigation, i.e, to not comment on Operation Sindoor. It said there is no restriction on Khan's fundamental right to speech. "He can write and speak. No reservations. But only not with regard to subject matter of investigation," SC verbally observed. Refusing to pass any directions, the bench said that it will examine the issue during the next hearing in July.