Sharmishtha Panoli Arrest

June 1, 2025 Grok AI

Introduction
Sharmishtha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student from Pune and Instagram influencer, was arrested by Kolkata Police on May 30, 2025, in Gurugram, Haryana, for allegedly posting a communal video on social media. The video, which criticized Bollywood actors for their silence on “Operation Sindoor,” triggered widespread backlash, leading to her arrest and subsequent legal proceedings. This incident has ignited debates about freedom of expression, social media responsibility, and alleged political motivations behind her arrest.

The Controversial Video
Sharmishtha Panoli, a resident of Kolkata’s Anandapur area and a student at a Pune-based law university, posted a video on Instagram that reportedly contained communal remarks targeting Bollywood actors. The content focused on their lack of commentary on “Operation Sindoor,” a term linked to recent military or security-related discussions in India. The video drew significant criticism, with users accusing Panoli of hurting religious sentiments. Following the backlash, she deleted the video and issued an unconditional apology on her Instagram story, stating, “I never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody… I’m sorry for the same.” Despite her apology, a complaint was lodged at Kolkata’s Garden Reach Police Station, leading to legal action.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Kolkata Police attempted to serve legal notices to Panoli and her family, but after repeated failures to locate them, a court-issued arrest warrant was executed. Panoli was apprehended in Gurugram on May 30, 2025, and taken to Kolkata. On May 31, she was produced before Alipore Court, where her lawyer, Md Samimuddin, moved a bail application, arguing that the prosecution’s evidence, including her mobile phone and laptop, had already been seized. The court rejected the prosecution’s request for police custody and instead remanded Panoli to judicial custody until

Political Reactions and Public Discourse
The arrest has sparked polarized reactions. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticized the action as “appeasement politics” by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), alleging selective targeting of individuals from the Sanatani community while ignoring similar offenses by TMC leaders. Social media activist Sunaina Holey claimed the arrest lacked proper documentation initially, though a magistrate’s order was later obtained. Meanwhile, Kolkata Police issued a statement on X, refuting claims of an unlawful arrest and asserting that all legal procedures were followed. The case has also drawn attention from public figures like Kangana Ranaut, who reportedly expressed support for Panoli.

Background and Social MEDIA Presence
Sharmishtha Panoli, with an Instagram following of over 90,000, is known for her content creation, though her account currently has no posts, likely due to the controversy. Her highlighted Instagram story from May 15, 2025, contains her apology. As a law student, her arrest has raised questions about the intersection of free speech, social media influence, and legal accountability in India’s polarized digital landscape.

Conclusion
The arrest of Sharmishtha Panoli underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the potential consequences of controversial online content. As her case progresses, it continues to fuel debates over social media’s role in shaping public discourse and the enforcement of laws regarding religious sentiments. The outcome of her bail hearing and further legal proceedings will likely influence discussions on influencer accountability and political motivations in legal actions.