Sharmishta Panoli – The Profile
Sharmishta Panoli, a 22-year-old law student from Pune (Kolkata resident), Sharmishta Panoli, has been arrested in Gurugram for her controversial remarks.
Social media content creator Sharmishta Panoli was arrested in Gurugram by Kolkata Police for allegedly posting a video that looked communal and has sparked a big outrage online.
In that Instagram video, which was later deleted by her, Sharmishta Panoli, who was arrested late Friday night in Haryana’s Gurugram, reportedly made controversial remarks criticizing some key Bollywood celebrities for their silence on “Operation Sindoor.” She also commented on those celebs for being silent on every such issues.
According to police sources, the video sparked big backlash, with many users accusing her of promoting hate speech. Sharmishta Panoli was heavily trolled and received threatening messages in some of the comments.
Following the backlash, Sharmishta Panoli deleted the post and issued a public apology, but by then, an FIR had already been filed in Kolkata.
Authorities claimed that several attempts were made to serve legal notices to Sharmishta Panoli and her family. When she went untraceable, a court issued an arrest warrant, leading to her eventual detention in Gurugram.
Sharmishta Panoli had deleted the allegedly offensive post on Instagram and apologized for her remarks on X as well as Instagram. She was produced before a Gurugram court and was brought to Kolkata on transit remand.
As per police, FIR was lodged under sections 196(1) (a) promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community, 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens), 352 ( intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace), 353(1)(c) (statements that incite public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
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Sharmishta Panoli : Post the Controversy
After the controversy, she made her Instagram account private and deleted all the posts from her other handle, but in her May 15 story’s highlight, she did issue an unconditional apology telling she never intended to hurt anyone’s religious feelings.
Panoli is expected to be presented before a Kolkata court, where further legal proceedings will outline the direction of the case. Her legal team will likely challenge the legality of the arrest, citing procedural irregularities and the context of her apology.
Meanwhile, the case continues to trend on social media platforms like X, with hashtags like#ReleaseSharmishtaand#ArrestSharmishtareflecting the divided public sentiments.
Kangana Ranaut demanded release of Sharmistha Panoli
BJP MP and actor, Kangana Ranaut has demanded an immediate release of Sharmishta who has been arrested by Kolkata Police over her controversial remarks on Operation Sindoor. She allegedly criticized Bollywood celebrities for their ‘silence’ on the operation which took place during India-Pakistan tension.
Kangana Ranaut on Sharmistha Panoli’s arrest
Between this all, Kangana took to her Insta Stories and came in support of Panoli. She writes, “I agree that Sharmistha used some unpleasant words for her expression, but such words most youngsters use these days, she apologized for her statements and that should be enough, no need to bully and harass her further she should be released immediately.”
Sharmistha Panoli & Her Controversy
The controversy arise due to her comments on May 14, 2025, when the influencer posted a video, responding to a Pakistani follower who questioned her about India’s military reaction to the Pahalgam terror attack.
In response, Panoli reportedly made derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad, sparking widespread backlash across social media. She also criticised Bollywood celebrities, for their ‘silence’ on Operation Sindoor, as reported by multiple media outlets.
#ArrestSharmishta has begun trending on X, formerly Twitter after her video went viral.
Panoli’s video has now been from Instagram. She also issued a public apology on X. Going by her May 15 story highlight, she issued an “unconditional apology”, stating she “never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody’s sentiments.”
She shared, “I do hereby tender my UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY whatever was put are my personal feelings and i never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody so anybody is hurt I’m sorry for the same. I expect co- operation and if understanding. Henceforth, i will be cautious in my public post. Again please accept my apologies.”
Sharmistha Panoli’s arrest
The FIR that was lodged against her in Kolkata, late Friday night. Following the FIR, Kolkata Police tracked her down and arrested her in Gurugram, Haryana.
As per sources, the FIR against was lodged under sections 196(1) (a) promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community, 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens), 352 ( intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace), 353(1)(c) (statements that incite public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, reported HT.
As per police, her video had “derogatory and disrespectful" comments aimed at a particular religious community.
What Kolkata police clarified on arrest
Kolkata police has shared a statement on Saturday, clarifying Panoli’s arrest. It reads: “In reference to Garden Reach Police Station Case No. 136 dated 15.05.2025, certain social media narratives suggesting an unlawful arrest of a law student are factually incorrect and misleading. All the legal procedures were duly sticked to.
All attempts were made to serve notice, but she was found absconding on every occasion. Consequently, a warrant of arrest was issued by the competent court, following which she was apprehended lawfully from Gurgaon. She was thereafter produced before the appropriate magistrate and granted transit remand as per due process of law.”
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