Sharmistha Panoli Granted Interim Bail By Calcutta HC In Controversial Video Case

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted interim bail to social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli, who was arrested by Kolkata Police for allegedly uploading a video with communal remarks.

The court held that the complaint against her does not disclose any cognisable offence.

Photo Credit: PTI

Panoli, a law student, was arrested from Gurugram in Haryana last week, after an FIR was filed against her at the Garden Reach Police Station in Kolkata in the wake of a viral video where she made controversial remarks criticising Bollywood actors on Operation Sindoor.

The police had maintained that her now-deleted video had "derogatory and disrespectful" comments against a minority community.

The bench of Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury ordered that she be enlarged on bail bond and security of Rs 10,000, and directed her to cooperate with the investigation into the case.

The court also directed her not to leave the country without its permission.

The high court further directed the police to provide protection to Panoli, as she complained of having received threats following her social media post.

Earlier this week, the court refused to grant interim bail to Panoli, stating that freedom of speech does not permit individuals to offend the sentiments of others or communities.

"Look, we have freedom of speech, but that doesn't mean you will go on to hurt others. Our country is diverse, with people from different castes, creeds, and religions. We must be cautious by saying this. So, the day after tomorrow. Heavens will not fall," remarked Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee.

The court also instructed the West Bengal government to present the case diary on 5 June.

Panoli's legal counsel argued that the complaint filed against her - over alleged remarks made on social media during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan - does not constitute any offence.

He stated that there had been a heated exchange on social media between users from India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, which was India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 men, most of whom were tourists.

Panoli's arrest sparked a political controversy in West Bengal, with the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denouncing it as "selective enforcement" and accusing the Kolkata Police of acting with "uncharacteristic haste".

(With PTI inputs)