Law Student And Influencer Sharmistha Panoli Arrested Over Controversial Instagram Post

Kolkata Police on Friday arrested 22-year-old law student and social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli from her residence in Gurgaon, Haryana, over an Instagram video that allegedly provoked communal tensions. Panoli was taken to Kolkata on a transit remand and has been sent to judicial custody until 13 June.

Whereas the Kolkata Police on Sunday said that some social media accounts are spreading false information about the arrest of influencer. 

A Post That Sparked a Storm

Panoli, a student at Symbiosis International University, Pune, has over 90,000 followers on Instagram and a significant presence on X. The controversy erupted after a video she posted on 14 May, in which she criticised the silence of the Khans and other Bollywood actors regarding Operation Sindoor. Her video drew accusations of communal incitement. AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan flagged the video to the Union Home Minister, accusing Panoli of insulting the Prophet of Islam and seeking her arrest.

Despite deleting the post and issuing a public apology on 15 May, saying she "never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody" and would be "cautious" in future, a complaint had already been registered at Garden Reach police station in Kolkata. According to Kolkata Police, Panoli was evading notice, and a court-issued arrest warrant was executed after she was found absent during multiple attempts to serve summons.

Police Version vs. Public Perception

"All legal procedures were duly adhered to... She was thereafter produced before the appropriate magistrate and granted transit remand as per due process of law," said Kolkata Police in a statement on X, urging the public to avoid speculative claims.

Chief Public Prosecutor at Alipore Police Court, Sourin Ghoshal said in a statemnet to The Indian Express, "She knew about the consequences of her actions, being a law student. Several police stations have complaints against her, so we need to question her thoroughly."

Her defence counsel, Shamim Uddin, told The Indian Express that a bail application had been filed, citing the seizure of her mobile and laptop and the recording of her statement. However, the court rejected the plea.

A Divided Reaction

Panoli has been charged under sections related to promoting enmity, outraging religious feelings, and inciting public mischief. Her arrest has drawn criticism from political figures, including Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, who termed it "a blatant misuse of police powers" in a statement on X.

Bollywood actor and MP Kangana Ranaut also weighed in, defending Panoli. "She apologised for her statements and that should be enough. No need to bully and harass her further. She should be released immediately," Ranaut said in an Instagram Story.

The Gurgaon Police said they were merely informed that a Kolkata team would be arriving and were not provided case details. Meanwhile, Panoli, speaking while being escorted from court, said: "The way this harassment is being done in a democracy — this is not democracy."

Panoli remains in custody as the case continues to draw national attention over issues of speech, digital policing, and procedural rights.