Who Is Sharmishta Panoli, Influencer Arrested For Controversial Remarks Over Op Sindoor?

Last Updated:May 31, 2025, 18:05 IST

Sharmishta Panoli, an Instagram influencer, was arrested for objectionable remarks in a video linked to Operation Sindoor, for which she received several threatening messages.

Instagram influencer Sharmishta Panoli slams Kolkata Police after she was sent to judicial custody. (IANS)

Social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli was arrested by Kolkata Police in Haryana’s Gurugram for her alleged controversial remarks linked to India’s Operation Sindoor, in a video that sparked widespread outrage. Panoli was produced before a court and sent to judicial custody for two weeks.

In a now-deleted video, Panoli allegedly made communal remarks where she accused Bollywood actors of remaining silent on Operation Sindoor. Police said her “derogatory and disrespectful" comments were aimed at a particular religious community.

“The harassment you have done, being in a democracy, this is not what a democracy is," she said after the Alipore CJM Court sent her to judicial custody till June 13.

A formal complaint was subsequently filed at a police station in Kolkata, following which an FIR was registered against Panoli under sections related to promoting enmity and hurting religious sentiments. She was taken into custody from Gurugram after a court issued a warrant against her.

Who Is Sharmishta Panoli?

Sharmishta Panoli is a 22-year-old law student from Pune and a social media influencer whose videos often contain strong language. She had previously posted videos slamming Pakistan and had been vocal on India’s Operation Sindoor.

Police officials said she had posted a video on Instagram, where she criticised several Bollywood actors for not commenting on Operation Sindoor. The video quickly went viral on social media, with several users criticising her and sending her threatening messages.

Following the backlash, Panoli deleted the video and issued an unconditional public apology. “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 said on X.

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.

Panoli was arrested from Gurugram and brought to Kolkata on transit remand, according to reports. She was presented before the Alipore Court on Saturday, which sent her to judicial custody till June 13.

However, some leaders have come out in her defence. Criticising the West Bengal government, LoP Suvendu Adhikari said, “The action is only taken against Sanatanis. Everyone here has a licence to abuse Sanatana… This is appeasement politics. A certain community is their vote bank, and this is for appeasement."

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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