Today, On 8th December, Supreme Court granted interim bail to an Assam professor accused of posting obscene and anti-India content, noting that his trial had not yet begun. The Bench highlighted significant delays, observing that the proceedings were unlikely to conclude anytime soon.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim bail to Md Joynal Abedin, a professor at Gossaigaon College in Assam’s Kokrajhar district, who had been in custody for six months on accusations of sharing anti-India and obscene content on social media.
The Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, noted that the trial had not yet commenced and would take considerable time to conclude.
While approving bail, the Bench emphasized that Abedin’s suspension from the college would remain in effect.
It remarked that, besides the social media allegations, he was purportedly named in two additional cases concerning the alleged molestation of female students at his workplace.
The Bench also highlighted that the prosecution still needed to examine four witnesses and that the proceedings were not expected to wrap up soon.
Instructing Abedin to attend every court hearing, the CJI stated,
“Taking into consideration all such factors, let him be released on bail, subject to furnishing bail bonds,”
Additionally, the Bench warned that the bail order should not be viewed as a reason for his reinstatement at the college.
The Court added,
“It is highly advisable that he is not, since there are allegations of acts against girl students,”
Abedin’s arrest occurred earlier this year following complaints about his derogatory social media posts deemed obscene and anti-national. The trial court had denied bail, prompting him to seek relief from the Supreme Court.
Previously, the Supreme Court had made strong remarks against the Assam college professor arrested for his social media conduct, labeling him a pervert and a threat to young girls.
It had refused to grant him interim bail, pointing out that evidence indicated a pattern of predatory behavior.
After reviewing his social media activity, the Bench remarked,
“You are in the habit of harassing women on social media and making obscene remarks. You are a perverted man and a threat to young girls in college. What kind of professor are you? You are a shame to the word ‘professor.’ You should not be allowed to enter the college,”
Abedin was arrested on May 16 for allegedly posting anti-India content and making obscene comments. Although his counsel argued that he had apologized, deleted the offending post, and lost his job, the Court observed that the charge sheet had been submitted, yet the trial had been delayed for nearly six months due to a lack of a judicial officer at the Gossaigaon court.
The Assam government opposed bail, labeling him a habitual offender who repeatedly shared offensive material.
The Bench stated that his posts revealed a “dirty mind” and represented a broader threat to society. The Court requested the state to clarify the status of the vacant judicial position and urged the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to appoint a judicial officer to Gossaigaon or transfer the case to the Kokrajhar sessions court.
Abedin, a resident of Gossaigaon, was initially detained and then arrested for the controversial posts made in May.
Case Title: Md. Joynal Abedin v. State of Assam
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