The Supreme Court on Monday quashed the criminal proceedings against Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad after the Haryana Government informed the Court that it had refused to grant a sanction for his prosecution in a case related to his social media posts on “Operation Sindoor.”

A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi recorded the submission made on behalf of the State by Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju that the Haryana government had declined sanction through an order dated March 3, 2026.

“As a one-time measure, the State Government has decided not to grant sanction for prosecution.”

In view of the State’s decision, the Bench observed that the issue would no longer survive and the proceedings could be brought to an end. “If sanction has been refused, then the chapter is closed..We have no reason to doubt that the petitioner, a highly learned professor, will act with prudence.”

The Court also indicated that the petitioner should avoid engaging in similar activities in the future, following which the Bench proceeded to quash the criminal case pending before the trial court in Sonipat.