- June 1, 2025
‘Absconding, Used Abusive Words’: What Kolkata Police Said About Sharmistha Panoli’s Arrest
Last Updated:
Kolkata Police further dismissed claims surfacing online that Sharmistha Panoli was targeted for expressing patriotism or “opposing Pakistan” in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor
Sharmishta Panoli, 22, was arrested by Kolkata Police over an alleged communal post. (IANS)
The Kolkata Police on Sunday defended the arrest of Instagram influencer Sharmistha Panoli, stating that legal action was taken not for expressing national sentiments, but for allegedly delivering hate speech and abusive language in a video.
In a detailed clarification justifying her arrest, the police noted that hate speech and abusive language “should not be misconstrued as freedom of speech and expression”
Kolkata Police further dismissed claims surfacing online that Panoli was targeted for expressing patriotism or “opposing Pakistan” in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
“Some social media accounts are spreading false information that Kolkata Police has unlawfully arrested a law student for opposing Pakistan. This narrative is mischievous and misleading,” the Kolkata Police said in a statement.
The case against Panoli was registered on 15 May at Garden Reach Police Station, said the police, adding that the video in question was considered “insulting to the religious belief of a class of citizen of India and amounted to promoting disharmony and hatred between different communities.”
‘Absconding’
The police said the case against Panoli was registered under the relevant sections of the newly implemented Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
After proper investigation into the case, repeated attempts to serve legal notice to Panoli reportedly failed, with the police saying she was “absconding.”
“Several attempts were made to serve notice u/s 35 of BNSS to the accused but every time she was found absconding,” Kolkata Police said.
The Kolkata Police noted that under the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, hate speech targeting any religious figure or community—especially if it has the potential to incite communal disharmony or hatred—is a punishable offence.
Panoli, a law student and social media influencer, was arrested in Gurugram on Friday (May 30) and brought to Kolkata, where she was presented before a magistrate and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Her arrest came in response to a complaint filed at the Garden Reach Police Station on May 15, alleging that she posted a video that insulted religious sentiments and promoted communal disharmony.
In the video, Panoli criticised Bollywood actors—particularly Muslim stars—for their silence on Operation Sindoor, a military strike targeting terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The video, which included abusive language and communal remarks, sparked significant backlash online and was subsequently taken down. Panoli later issued an apology.
Sources in the Kolkata Police told News18 that any complaint related to the hurting of religious sentiments will be duly examined and acted upon.
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be…Read More
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be… Read More
- First Published:
