Calcutta HC Grants Interim Bail To Influencer Sharmistha Panoli In Controversial Post Case

Last Updated:June 05, 2025, 17:49 IST

The high court directed the police to provide protection to Panoli, who had complained of receiving threats following her social media post

Instagram influencer Sharmishta Panoli was arrested from Gurugram by Kolkata Police (IANS)

Law student and social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli on Thursday was granted interim bail by the Calcutta High Court in connection with a case filed against her over a controversial social media post.

The case, registered at Garden Reach Police Station, led to her arrest by Kolkata Police on May 30 in Gurugram, Haryana. She was brought to Kolkata on a transit remand and placed in judicial custody till June 13.

Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury of the Calcutta High Court granted her interim bail on a personal bond of Rs 10,000, observing that the complaint against her did not disclose any cognisable offence.

While delivering the order, Justice Chowdhury stated that the arrest warrant had been issued “mechanically" and noted that there was no need to keep her in custody for interrogation.

“The arrest warrant was issued mechanically. The accused is a law student, and there is no need to keep her in custody for interrogation," Justice Chowdhury said.

The high court also directed the police to provide protection to Panoli, who had complained of receiving threats following her social media post.

Additionally, as part of her bail conditions, Panoli must cooperate with the ongoing investigation and has been directed not to leave the country without the court’s permission.

Speaking to News18 after her bail, Sharmistha’s father, Prithviraj Panoli, said, “We have to look on her security and her career. I am happy that she got bail. My daughter was not absconding. She is an intelligent girl, and I am sure she will do well."

The 22-year-old was arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity over the video on social media. Justifying her arrest, Kolkata Police had maintained that her now-deleted video contained “derogatory and disrespectful" comments against a minority community.

Her arrest also sparked widespread reactions on social media and sparked a political row, with several leaders condemning the move and criticising the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government.

Kamalika Sengupta

Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar...Read More

Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar...

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