Kolkata Police arrest Khan for allegedly spreading hatred online, while Panoli got an interim bail after apologising for her remarks on Prophet Muhammad
KOLKATA – In a surprising turn in the Sharmishtha Panoli case, Kolkata Police arrested Wajahat Khan, the man who had filed a complaint against law student and influencer Sharmishtha Panoli. Meanwhile, Panoli was granted interim bail by the Kolkata High Court and released from custody on Monday.
Wajahat Khan had accused Panoli of making objectionable comments against Prophet Muhammad in a viral video. The video, which spread quickly on social media, showed Panoli making communal remarks and targeting Muslim Bollywood actors for not speaking out on Operation Sindoor.
Following strong backlash online, Panoli deleted the video and issued a public apology. “I apologise to all those I have hurt. It was not my intention to disrespect anyone’s religion,” she had said.
Based on Wajahat Khan’s complaint, Kolkata Police arrested Sharmishtha from Gurugram, Haryana, on 30 May and sent her to judicial custody for 14 days. However, the court granted her interim bail, stating that she had apologised and was exercising her right to free speech.
The high court said, “The accused has already expressed regret and apologised publicly. She has used her freedom of expression, which is protected under the Constitution.”
At the same time, police registered a case against Wajahat Khan at the Golf Green Police Station in Kolkata. He is accused of spreading hatred and hurting religious sentiments on social media. Hindu groups had earlier filed complaints against him, claiming that he too had made offensive remarks about Hindu beliefs.
Police said Khan had been absconding since 1 June and had ignored several summons. “We carried out multiple raids to trace him. He has now been arrested for further investigation,” an officer said.
Panoli is a student at Symbiosis Law School, Pune. After her arrest, the institute suspended her for three months.
While the legal proceedings continue, the case has sparked strong debates on social media about freedom of speech, religious sensitivity, and equal treatment under the law.
