Who Is Sharmishta Panoli, Why Was She Arrested, & What Has Happened So Far?
Who Is Sharmishta Panoli, Why Was She Arrested, & What Has Happened So Far?
Pune: Sharmishta Panoli, a law student and social media influencer, was taken into custody by the Kolkata Police in Gurugram, Haryana, following a significant outcry over a controversial video she uploaded online.
Panoli, a 22-year-old Pune law student, is well-known for posting provocative content on social media. In one of her recent but now deleted videos, she allegedly asked why Bollywood celebrities were silent on Operation Sindoor.
According to the Kolkata Police, her remarks in the video were “derogatory and disrespectful” and directed at a particular religious community. Police also added that hate speech and abusive language should not be mistaken for the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
After the video went viral, many people criticised her and even sent her threatening messages. Following this, she deleted the video and posted a public apology. In her apology, Panoli said, “Whatever was put are my personal feelings, and I never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody. If anybody is hurt, I’m sorry for the same. Henceforth, I will be cautious in my public post.”
I do hereby tender my UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY whatever was put are my personal feelings and i never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody so if anybody is hurt I’m sorry for the same. I expect co-operation and understanding. Henceforth, i will be cautious in my public post. Again…
— Sharmishta (@Sharmishta__19) May 15, 2025
A complaint was filed against her in Kolkata, and an FIR was registered for “promoting enmity and hurting religious feelings.” Police tried to serve her a legal notice several times, but she and her family could not be found. As a result, a court issued an arrest warrant.
She was finally found and taken into custody from Gurugram. The police then brought her to Kolkata on a transit remand. She appeared before the Alipore CJM Court on May 31. After the hearing, Panoli told the media, “The harassment you have done, being in a democracy, this is not what a democracy is.” For now, she remains in judicial custody and will stay in jail until at least June 13, as the investigation continues.
A day after her arrest, Manan Kumar Mishra, chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), expressed serious concern. He stated that a minor wording mistake shouldn’t be interpreted as blasphemy. He said that the young law student is being used as a scapegoat and is being subjected to severe legal action, whereas previous crimes committed against specific communities by government-supported organisations have been disregarded. Moreover, Numerous others, including celebrities, have voiced their support for the woman and expressed similar worries.
