Calcutta High Court Grants Interim Bail to Sharmistha Panoli Amid Controversy
Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student and influencer, has been granted interim bail by the Calcutta High Court after her arrest for posting controversial communal videos. The court required her to pay a bail bond of ₹10,000. The FIR against her was filed by Wajahat Khan Qadri, who claims her posts hurt religious sentiments. Following her arrest, multiple complaints emerged from various states, leading to serious allegations against her. The case has sparked significant debate about freedom of expression and the implications of social media content. Read on for a detailed overview of the situation and its broader impact.
| Jun 5, 2025, 16:04 IST
Interim Bail Granted
The Calcutta High Court provided interim bail to Sharmistha Panoli on Thursday, June 5. She was apprehended by Kolkata police in Gurugram and is accused of posting communal videos that sparked significant online uproar. The court mandated her to furnish a bail bond of ₹10,000.
Background of the FIR
Who Filed the FIR Against Sharmistha Panoli?
The 22-year-old influencer and law student was arrested last week by Kolkata police due to her controversial media posts related to 'Operation Sindoor'. She faces allegations of hurting religious sentiments through her 'communal' remarks in a now-deleted video on social media. Senior officials reported on Wednesday that the FIR was filed by Wajahat Khan Qadri, whose complaint led to the arrest of Sharmistha Panoli on charges of offending religious sentiments, and he is currently absconding. A trust named Shri Ram Swabhimaan Parishad lodged a complaint against Qadri at the Garden Reach police station in Kolkata, the same station where the complaint against Sharmistha was filed.
Wider Implications and Reactions
Multiple Complaints Filed
Following numerous complaints from various regions, including Mumbai and Assam, FIRs have been registered against her. The allegations include inciting hatred and making derogatory comments about religious deities in her social media posts. Family members of Qadri have defended him, asserting that he is 'innocent and secular'. The head of the Rashidi Foundation and a resident of Garden Reach, Qadri is currently on the run, as confirmed by the police on Wednesday.
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