Instagram influencer sent to 14-day judicial custody over viral video

Instagram influencer Sharmishtha Panoli has been arrested in Gurugram after a communal video on Operation Sindoor sparked backlash, threats, and calls for her arrest

A court in Kolkata on Saturday sent social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli to judicial custody for 14 days. She was arrested on Friday night from Gurugram (Haryana) over allegations of hurting religious sentiments. Panoli is a law student studying in Pune, Maharashtra.

 

According to Kolkata Police, efforts were made to serve legal notices to Panoli and her family, but they could not be located. Eventually, a court-issued arrest warrant led to her being taken into custody from Gurugram.

 

 

Kolkata Police said, “The case relates to an Instagram video by a lady named Sharmishta Panoli that hurt the religious sentiments of a particular community. FIR was lodged in Garden Reach Police Station. Attempts to serve notice as per law couldn't be successful since the accused, with her family absconded. Subsequently, warrant of arrest was issued by the court of law, based on which she was arrested from Gurgaon yesterday.”

Bail plea filed

On Saturday, Panoli was produced before the Alipore Court in Kolkata, where she was remanded to judicial custody until June 13.

 

Speaking to ANI, her lawyer Md Samimuddin said, “We moved our bail application before the court, citing that the articles that have been allegedly stated by the prosecution to have been used, the mobile phone and the laptop, have already been seized. Subsequently, the court heard our prayer. The police custody prayer was sought by the prosecution, which was turned down and rejected. The accused has been remanded to judicial custody till 13th of June, 2025…”

 

Kolkata Police responded to online posts questioning the legality of Panoli’s arrest. In a statement shared on X, they said, “In reference to Garden Reach Police Station Case No. 136 dated 15.05.2025, certain social media narratives suggesting an unlawful arrest of a law student are factually incorrect and misleading.”

 

They added, “All legal procedures were duly adhered to. All attempts were made to serve notice, but she was found absconding on every occasion. Consequently, a warrant of arrest was issued by the competent court, following which she was apprehended lawfully from Gurgaon. She was thereafter produced before the appropriate magistrate and granted transit remand as per due process of law.”

Backlash and apology

The case began after Panoli posted a video on Instagram on 14 May, responding to a question from a Pakistani follower about India’s military action after the Pahalgam terror attack. In the clip, she allegedly made offensive remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad. She also criticised Bollywood actors for staying silent on the matter.

 

The video quickly went viral, drawing widespread criticism. Panoli received death and rape threats. On 15 May, she deleted the video and issued a public apology on X:

 

“I do hereby tender my UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY whatever was put are my personal feelings and I never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody so if anybody is hurt I’m sorry for the same. I expect co-operation and understanding. Henceforth, I will be cautious in my public post. Again please accept my apologies.”

 

She further explained that her remarks were a reaction to threats from “Radical Pakistani terrorists”, adding: “Mere liye mera desh pehle aata hai” (My country comes first for me).

 

The controversy intensified when Waris Pathan, a leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), publicly demanded Panoli’s arrest. He said, “No Muslim will tolerate abusive words about our Prophet.”

 

Despite Panoli’s apology, a complaint had already been registered, and the legal process proceeded.