Premium

‘Anti-India post’: SC grants bail to Assam professor Joynal Abedin, advises against his reinstatement considering other cases

Joynal Abedin had allegedly posted a pro-Pakistan statement on Facebook amid tensions with the neighbouring country following the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

3 min readNew DelhiDec 8, 2025 04:34 PM IST

All 15 accused will now face trial for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The court noted that the prosecution was yet to examine four witnesses in the case involving his social media posts and that it would take time (File Photo)

The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Assam professor Joynal Abedin who has been accused of posting anti-India content on social media.

The bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, however, refused to direct his reinstatement, taking note that he is also facing charges in two other cases involving allegations over molestation of girl students at his workplace.

The court noted that the prosecution was yet to examine four witnesses in the case involving his social media posts and that it would take time. “Prosecution (has) to examine four witnesses. Trial conclusion will take some time. Petitioner is in custody since six months. Taking into consideration all such factors, let him be released on bail, subject to furnishing bail bonds,” the bench ordered.

It further said, “This order shall not be construed as a ground for reinstatement of the petitioner and it is highly advisable that he is not, since there are allegations of acts against girl students.”

Abedin, who was a professor at Gossaigaon College, faces prosecution following a comment he had allegedly made on Facebook amid India-Pakistan tensions in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack. “We are with the brother of Pakistani citizens, we will be with them in future also,” he purportedly posted.

Abedin initially approached the trial court in Kokrajhar for bail, but it was denied as the case was still at the stage of framing of charges.

Following this, he moved the high court, which too rejected his prayer, saying, “On a plain reading of the Facebook message, it is clear that at this juncture, the petitioner supports Pakistan, not his own country. The petitioner has not complied with the directive principles as laid down in Article 51A (fundamental duties of citizens) of the Constitution of India.”

Story continues below this ad

Hearing the matter last month, the apex court had come down harshly on Abedin and said, “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.”