Kolkata Police Detain Instagram Influencer Over Controversial Post Regarding Operation Sindoor

Kolkata Police have arrested a 22-year-old Instagram influencer, Sharmishtha Panoli, for allegedly making communal remarks about Bollywood actors' silence on Operation Sindoor. Following backlash and threats from the public, she deleted her post and issued an apology. However, a complaint led to her arrest in Gurugram after she and her family went into hiding. The court has placed her in judicial custody until June 13. This incident raises questions about the responsibilities of influencers in their public statements.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 31, 2025, 19:14 IST

Influencer Arrested for Controversial Comments

Gurugram/Kolkata: A 22-year-old Instagram influencer has been taken into custody by Kolkata Police for allegedly posting a video containing communal remarks, suggesting that Bollywood actors remained silent regarding Operation Sindoor, as reported on Saturday.

The influencer, who resides in the Anandapur area of Kolkata and is a student at a law university in Pune, was apprehended in Gurugram on Friday night.

Following her arrest, she was presented in a Kolkata court on Saturday, where her request for bail was denied, resulting in her being remanded to judicial custody until June 13.

Authorities have charged her under various sections for inciting hostility among different groups, engaging in acts intended to provoke religious sentiments, and causing intentional insult that could disrupt public peace, according to a police spokesperson.

Local police sources indicate that Sharmishtha Panoli faced backlash for her Instagram post, which accused Hindi film stars of not speaking out about Operation Sindoor.

The negative response led to her receiving numerous trolling comments and threats, prompting her to remove the video and apologize.

However, a complaint had already been lodged against her in Kolkata, leading to legal notices being sent to her and her family.

After she and her family went into hiding, a court issued an arrest warrant, which resulted in her capture by Kolkata Police in Gurugram on Friday night.

"Multiple attempts were made to deliver legal notices to Panoli and her family, but they went missing. Consequently, the police brought the issue before the court, which issued the arrest warrant, leading to her apprehension on Friday night," stated a Kolkata Police officer.