The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to former Gossaigaon College professor Md Joynal Abedin, who was arrested in May for allegedly posting anti-India content on social media. The court, however, made it unequivocally clear that the relief must not be construed as a basis for reinstating him at the college.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that Abedin is also facing two other criminal cases—one involving allegations of molesting female students and another related to obscene remarks against them on social media. The bench remarked that its earlier observations describing him as “a pervert” and “a threat to young girls” remained relevant in view of the allegations on record.
The court observed that Abedin had been in custody for over six months and that the trial was unlikely to conclude soon. “Taking into consideration all the factors, let him be released on bail, subject to furnishing appropriate bonds,” the bench said. It further ordered that Abedin must appear before the trial court on every date of hearing.
Importantly, the bench stressed that the bail order “shall not be treated as a justification for his reinstatement.” Chief Justice Kant also informed the counsel for the Assam government that Abedin’s suspension from the college would continue.
The Supreme Court had earlier taken a stern view of the allegations. On November 12, the bench castigated Abedin, telling his counsel that he should not be allowed entry to the campus. “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,” the court had remarked after reviewing case records.
Abedin approached the Supreme Court after the Gauhati High Court rejected his bail plea. His counsel argued that he deleted the contentious social media post soon after realising its implications and had apologised for it. He also cited delays in the trial, noting that there was no judicial officer available in the Gossaigaon court to hear the case.
Taking note of the vacancy, the Supreme Court had earlier urged the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to ensure the appointment of a judicial officer in Gossaigaon or to transfer the case to the Kokrajhar sessions court.
Abedin, a resident of Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar district, was detained and subsequently arrested in mid-May after the alleged anti-India post surfaced.The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to former Gossaigaon College professor Md Joynal Abedin, who was arrested in May for allegedly posting anti-India content on social media. The court, however, made it unequivocally clear that the relief must not be construed as a basis for reinstating him at the college.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that Abedin is also facing two other criminal cases—one involving allegations of molesting female students and another related to obscene remarks against them on social media. The bench remarked that its earlier observations describing him as “a pervert” and “a threat to young girls” remained relevant in view of the allegations on record.
The court observed that Abedin had been in custody for over six months and that the trial was unlikely to conclude soon. “Taking into consideration all the factors, let him be released on bail, subject to furnishing appropriate bonds,” the bench said. It further ordered that Abedin must appear before the trial court on every date of hearing.
Importantly, the bench stressed that the bail order “shall not be treated as a justification for his reinstatement.” Chief Justice Kant also informed the counsel for the Assam government that Abedin’s suspension from the college would continue.
The Supreme Court had earlier taken a stern view of the allegations. On November 12, the bench castigated Abedin, telling his counsel that he should not be allowed entry to the campus. “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,” the court had remarked after reviewing case records.
Abedin approached the Supreme Court after the Gauhati High Court rejected his bail plea. His counsel argued that he deleted the contentious social media post soon after realising its implications and had apologised for it. He also cited delays in the trial, noting that there was no judicial officer available in the Gossaigaon court to hear the case.
Taking note of the vacancy, the Supreme Court had earlier urged the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to ensure the appointment of a judicial officer in Gossaigaon or to transfer the case to the Kokrajhar sessions court.
Abedin, a resident of Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar district, was detained and subsequently arrested in mid-May after the alleged anti-India post surfaced.
