Sharmistha Panoli, a law student from Pune, was arrested by Kolkata Police on Friday night in Gurugram for allegedly making communal remarks in response to a post about Operation Sindoor. The video, originally posted on Instagram, went viral and triggered significant public outrage.
Authorities confirmed that Panoli had used derogatory language that allegedly targeted a specific religion. “A case was initiated regarding an Instagram video by Sharmistha Panoli that hurt the religious sentiments of a particular community,” said a senior officer involved in the investigation.
The video, which has since been deleted, contained Panoli’s response to a social media comment that questioned India’s military action. In her reply, she used terms such as “delulu” to describe religious figures and made remarks about the Prophet and ancestors, stating they did not have 42 angels waiting in heaven but instead had gone to brothels. She also referenced attacks like the Pahalgam incident as part of India’s justification for its response.
FIR was Lodged
After the clip sparked backlash, a formal complaint was lodged at a police station in Kolkata. Kolkata Police then registered an FIR under relevant sections for promoting enmity and hurting religious sentiments. When efforts to deliver a legal notice failed police claim Panoli and her family were absconding a court-issued arrest warrant followed.
Panoli was eventually traced to Gurugram and taken into custody by a team that executed the arrest warrant. She was presented before the Alipore Court in Kolkata on Saturday.
Following the controversy, Panoli posted a public statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“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, please accept my apologies.”
Deleted Video was Reviewed During Interrogation
The police revealed that her arrest was prompted not only by the content of the video but also by the failure to respond to legal summons. The deleted content was recovered and reviewed during the digital investigation.
In a similar case earlier this year, a 19-year-old engineering student was detained for allegedly criticising Operation Sindoor online. She was later granted bail by the Bombay High Court, which ensured she could appear for her exams. Her legal team confirmed that she was released from Yerwada Central Jail under police escort and allowed to complete her scheduled test.
Panoli’s case has reignited debates around freedom of expression and communal harmony online. Law enforcement authorities have reiterated that sharing personal opinions is not above the law, especially when such views may inflame communal tensions or offend religious sentiments.
