SC slams Assam professor, denies bail, calls him 'threat to young girls'

Guwahati: The Supreme Court on Wednesday criticised a college professor in Assam who was arrested for posting anti-India and obscene content on social media, describing him as “a threat to young girls” and a “pervert” unfit to enter an educational institution.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi denied interim bail to Md Joynal Abedin, formerly a professor at Gossaigaon College in Kokrajhar district, noting that he has a pattern of harassing women online and cannot be easily released.

“You’re 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,” the bench said.

Abedin’s counsel stated that he had apologised for the post and deleted it upon realising it was against the country’s interests.

The counsel added that although a chargesheet has been filed, the trial has been delayed for nearly six months due to the absence of a judicial officer at the Gossaigaon court.

The Assam government’s counsel argued that Abedin was a habitual offender who frequently posted offensive content online.

After reviewing his social media activity, the Supreme Court criticised the language used and raised concerns about its content. The bench also asked, “Should we ask you to read out what has been written here, so that everyone understands what the post is?”

The petitioner’s counsel emphasised that Abedin had lost his job and was willing to comply with any conditions the court might impose, requesting bail since the chargesheet had been filed.

Noting that Abedin was arrested on May 16, the Supreme Court asked the state counsel to check whether the absence of a judicial officer at the Gossaigaon court was accurate.

It also requested the Gauhati High Court chief justice to either assign a judicial officer there or transfer the case to the sessions court in Kokrajhar district.