'My Daughter Didn't Abscond...': Influencer Sharmistha Panoli’s Father On Her Arrest

Last Updated:June 04, 2025, 21:12 IST

Sharmistha Panoli was arrested on May 30 following an FIR lodged against her over an Instagram video related to ‘Operation Sindoor’.

Sharmishta Panoli, 22, was arrested by Kolkata Police over an alleged communal post. (IANS)

Father of 22-year-old Pune law student and social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli, who was recently arrested by Kolkata Police on charges of hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity, said that his daughter was in Gurugram for a pre-scheduled legal internship and not avoiding police action.

Sharmistha Panoli was arrested on May 30 following an FIR lodged against her at Garden Reach Police Station over a controversial Instagram video. Police sources said she was not cooperating with cops before her arrest, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant.

Internship Planned Before FIR, Says Sharmistha Panoli’s Father

In a written statement, Sharmistha Panoli’s father Prithviraj Panoli clarified that his daughter had travelled to Gurugram to begin an internship with a reputed Delhi-based advocate. “Sharmistha began her internship at Nehru Enclave on May 22. Prior to that, she had also completed internships in Delhi earlier this year," he said.

Sharmistha Panoli had travelled to Kolkata from Pune, where she studies law, on May 15—the same day the FIR was registered, he said.

Sharmistha Panoli’s Father Says They Remained In Touch With Police

Prithviraj Panoli said that communication with Kolkata Police’s cyber cell continued through WhatsApp until May 26. “We deactivated regular calls because of the constant threats coming from across the country and abroad," he said, adding that Sharmistha continued her internship until May 29, the day before her arrest.

The family also said they were staying at a single hotel in Gurugram during this period, and expressed surprise that police were reportedly conducting searches in locations such as Saharanpur, Noida, and Ghaziabad.

He said, “As per information received, WB Police conducted many searches in Saharanpur, Noida, Ghaziabad etc. even though, we were put up in a single hotel in Gurugram for the entire period from 20th May early morning till 30th May till Sharmishta was arrested."

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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West Bengal, India, India

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News india 'My Daughter Didn't Abscond...': Influencer Sharmistha Panoli’s Father On Her Arrest