Calcutta High Court has granted interim bail to 22-year-old social media influencer and law student Sharmistha Panoli, who was arrested over a controversial Instagram video linked to Operation Sindoor. The video allegedly hurt religious sentiments and triggered widespread outrage across social media platforms. Panoli, who apologized and deleted the video shortly after posting it, was arrested by Kolkata Police from Gurugram on May 30. The arrest led to a political controversy, with critics calling it a case of selective targeting. Her father claimed she was attending a pre-scheduled legal internship and was not absconding. Amid claims of procedural lapses, the court granted her interim bail upon a ₹10,000 bond, barring her from leaving the country. The case sparked debates over free speech, religious sensitivity, and digital accountability. The Calcutta HC also asked Kolkata Police to combine all FIRs and investigate them jointly. Meanwhile, Wajahat Khan Qadri—the complainant—is also facing FIRs for allegedly uploading inflammatory content. The case remains under judicial review, highlighting the complex intersection of law, social media, and communal harmony in India today.
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