The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to a former professor of Gossaigaon College in Assam, arrested for allegedly making an anti-India social media post, but made it clear that the relief should not be treated as a ground for his reinstatement.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that the accused, Md Joynal Abedin, has also been named in two other cases involving serious allegations related to molestation of girl students and making objectionable remarks against them on social media.
The bench observed that Abedin has already been in custody for more than six months and that the trial is not expected to conclude soon. “Taking into consideration all the factors, let him be released on bail, subject to furnishing bail bonds. Let him be present in court for every hearing,” the court said while issuing the order.
At the same time, the judges stressed that the bail order must not be construed as a basis for Abedin’s reinstatement. “Your suspension from the college should remain as it is,” CJI Kant told the counsel representing the Assam government.
The hearing follows the court’s strong observations on November 12, where the bench had taken an adverse view of the allegations against Abedin. After going through case materials, the court had remarked that he was “a perverted man and a threat to young girls” and questioned how he could hold the position of a professor.
“You are in the habit of harassing women on social media and making obscene remarks. What kind of professor are you? You are a shame to the word professor,” the court had said, making it clear that he “should not be allowed to enter the college.”
Abedin’s legal team argued that he had already apologised and removed the contentious post soon after realising it was against national interest. He had been arrested on May 16 and has remained incarcerated since then.
The counsel also submitted that the delay in the trial was caused by the absence of a judicial officer in the Gossaigaon court, making the conclusion of proceedings uncertain. The Supreme Court had earlier requested the Gauhati High Court Chief Justice to examine the issue and consider transferring the trial to the Kokrajhar sessions court.
Abedin was initially detained and subsequently arrested for the anti-India post, and later faced additional allegations related to misconduct with students. He had approached the Supreme Court after the Gauhati High Court declined to grant bail.
