**Kolkata Police Arrests Sharmishtha Panoli Over Controversial Video**
The Kolkata Police apprehended 22-year-old Sharmishtha Panoli on Friday following multiple FIRs filed against her regarding a contentious video related to Operation Sindoor. After her arrest, she was presented before the Alipore Court in Kolkata, where she was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Panoli, a law student from Pune, gained attention for a video in which she criticized certain Bollywood actors for their perceived silence on India’s Operation Sindoor, aimed at targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). Following significant backlash, she deleted the video and issued an apology. Despite her attempts to retract her statements, an FIR was lodged in Kolkata, leading to her arrest on May 30.
She faces charges under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including promoting enmity between different groups based on religion and inciting public mischief.
**Who is Sharmishtha Panoli?**
Sharmishtha Panoli is a prominent social media influencer with over 175,000 followers on platforms like X and Instagram. Known for her outspoken views on current affairs, her videos often attract attention, sometimes for their controversial content.
**What Did Sharmishtha Panoli Say?**
In her now-deleted video, Panoli directed harsh criticism at Bollywood actors, particularly the Khans, for their alleged inaction regarding Operation Sindoor. Her comments included inflammatory language and communal remarks, which resulted in widespread outrage and even death threats. She stated, “Earlier, I used to think Nabi was delusional… but this woman is even more delusional, she thinks India opened fire without any reason.”
After facing severe criticism, Panoli deleted the video and posted an apology on X, expressing regret for any offense caused and promising to be more cautious in her future public statements. However, the Kolkata Police reported that she had been unresponsive to multiple notices before her arrest, leading to a warrant being issued by the court.
**Conclusion**
Sharmishtha Panoli’s arrest highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding freedom of expression and the responsibilities that come with it, especially in the context of sensitive political issues. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case may have broader implications for social media influencers and their impact on public discourse.
**FAQ**
**What are the charges against Sharmishtha Panoli?**
Sharmishtha Panoli has been charged with promoting enmity between groups, deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings, and inciting public mischief, among other offenses.
