Influencer Behind Bars: Law Student Arrested Over Operation Sindoor Post

 Kolkata, May 30, 2025 — A 22-year-old law student and rising social media influencer, Sharmistha Panoli, was arrested by Kolkata Police from her Gurugram residence for allegedly making inflammatory remarks on social media related to the Indian military’s recent Operation Sindoor.



Panoli, a student of Symbiosis Law School, Pune, commands a sizable following—over 85,000 on X (formerly Twitter) and 90,000 on Instagram. She had uploaded a video where she openly criticized Bollywood celebrities for remaining silent on Operation Sindoor, a recent military campaign that garnered nationwide attention.

While the video appeared to express personal views, authorities claimed it incited communal tension and violated provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, particularly sections relating to promoting enmity, religious insult, and public mischief.

After intense backlash online, including threats and mass reporting of her content, Panoli removed the video and issued an unconditional apology, stating she did not intend to hurt any community or disrupt social harmony. Despite this, multiple FIRs were filed against her, prompting a full-scale investigation.

Kolkata Police said they attempted to serve notice several times before issuing a warrant. After her arrest in Gurugram, she was presented before a local court, granted transit remand, and transferred to Kolkata. She is currently in judicial custody until June 13, following her appearance in Alipore Court.

The arrest sparked a political row, with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of “appeasement politics” and stifling freedom of expression. Kolkata Police, however, defended the arrest, asserting that legal procedures were strictly followed and that public peace must be maintained in sensitive times.

Panoli has since made her social media accounts private, wiping her digital footprint clean as she prepares for the legal battle ahead.

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