Pune Law Student Arrested In Gurugram For 'Derogatory' Social Media Post On Op Sindoor

2 days ago 5

ARTICLE AD BOX

Last Updated:May 31, 2025, 13:23 IST

Sharmistha Panoli Arrested: The now-deleted video, posted in response to an update on Operation Sindoor, quickly went viral and triggered widespread outrage.

A 22-year-old law student from Pune- Sharmistha Panoli- was arrested by Kolkata Police in Gurugram for allegedly making offensive remarks on social media linked to Operation Sindoor. Sharmistha Panoli posted a video on Instagram containing “derogatory and disrespectful" comments aimed at a particular religious community, police said.

The now-deleted video, posted in response to an update on Operation Sindoor, quickly went viral and triggered widespread outrage. A formal complaint was subsequently filed at a police station in Kolkata, following which an FIR was registered against Sharmistha Panoli under sections related to promoting enmity and hurting religious sentiments.

“A case was initiated regarding an Instagram video by Sharmistha Panoli that hurt the religious sentiments of a particular community," a police officer said, confirming that the content violated provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

Multiple attempts to serve legal notice to Sharmistha Panoli were made but she and her family were untraceable. After these efforts failed, a court issued an arrest warrant following which police tracked and arrested her from Gurugram, authorities said.

Sharmistha Panoli Apologised For Remarks

Following the backlash, Sharmistha Panoli issued an unconditional public apology via social media. “Whatever was put are my personal feelings and I never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody. If anybody is hurt, I’m sorry for the same. Henceforth, I will be cautious in my public post," she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).