Kolkata Police arrested 22-year-old law student and influencer Sharmishta Panoli in Gurugram for allegedly sharing a communal video on Instagram.
The video, now deleted, criticised Bollywood celebrities for their silence on ‘Operation Sindoor’ and triggered widespread backlash online.
In the video, Panoli reportedly made remarks perceived as inflammatory, prompting users to accuse her of promoting hate speech and inciting communal disharmony.
Her post received severe trolling and threats, and despite taking it down and issuing a public apology, the legal process had already begun.
The apology, posted via both Instagram and X, stated she never intended to hurt religious sentiments and extended regret to all communities.
However, an FIR had already been lodged in Kolkata under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police officials said they tried to serve legal notices to Panoli and her family, but she remained untraceable.
A court subsequently issued an arrest warrant, leading to her detention in Gurugram.
Authorities produced her before a local court and later took her to Kolkata on transit remand for further proceedings.
The FIR against her includes serious allegations under sections 196(1)(a) (promoting enmity between different groups), 299 (malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 352 (intentional insult), and 353(1)(c) (inciting public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The incident has sparked a fierce online debate.
Hashtags such as #ReleaseSharmishta and #ArrestSharmishta are trending on X, with users sharply divided on the issue.
Some have defended her right to free expression and questioned the proportionality of the police action, while others called for strict punishment for spreading communal rhetoric.
Following the controversy, Panoli made her Instagram account private and removed content from her alternate handles.
Nevertheless, a story highlight from 15 May containing her unconditional apology remains public.
Sharmishta Panoli is expected to appear before a Kolkata court on 31 May, where the legal course of the case will be determined.
Her defence team is likely to challenge the arrest on the grounds of procedural lapses and highlight her prompt apology.
The outcome may set a significant precedent in the ongoing debate surrounding digital speech, intent, and accountability in the era of social media.
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