Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student from Pune and an emerging Instagram influencer, has been arrested by Kolkata Police in Gurugram. The arrest stems from highly controversial remarks made by Panoli in a series of social media posts, which have ignited significant public outcry and legal action. The young influencer is currently in judicial custody until June 13, facing charges related to her online conduct.
The Controversial Content
The controversy began with a video posted on Instagram, where Sharmistha Panoli allegedly made derogatory comments targeting Islam and Prophet Muhammad. This video, shared on May 14, 2025, quickly went viral across various social media platforms, drawing widespread condemnation. The problematic content was reportedly a response to a question from a Pakistani follower regarding India's military reaction to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Adding to the legal troubles, Panoli is also implicated for offensive remarks linked to "Operation Sindoor," further intensifying the public's negative reaction to her online presence. These remarks, combined with the earlier controversial video, led to a formal police complaint being filed against Sharmistha in Kolkata, initiating the legal process that led to her arrest.
The Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Law enforcement authorities revealed that repeated attempts to serve a legal notice to Sharmistha Panoli proved unsuccessful. Due to her alleged failure to comply with these notices, a court subsequently issued an arrest warrant. Acting on this warrant, Kolkata Police apprehended Panoli from Gurugram on Thursday night.
The arrest highlights the increasing scrutiny and legal consequences faced by individuals for content published on social media, especially when it is deemed offensive or inciteful towards religious sentiments or public order. The case of Sharmistha serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with online influence.
Public Reaction and Apology
The contentious posts by Sharmistha Panoli sparked a significant public backlash, with many social media users and community groups expressing outrage over her comments. As the controversy escalated and legal actions loomed, Panoli responded by issuing an unconditional apology on her social media platforms. In an attempt to mitigate the damage and address the public's anger, she also deleted the controversial videos and posts from her accounts. Despite her apology and the removal of the content, the legal proceedings against Sharmistha have continued, demonstrating the seriousness with which such online offenses are being treated by authorities.
