Sharmistha Panoli Gets Interim Bail in Operation Sindoor Video Case.

Calcutta High Court has granted interim bail to 22-year-old social media influencer and law student Sharmistha Panoli, who was arrested over a controversial Instagram video linked to Operation Sindoor. The video allegedly hurt religious sentiments and triggered widespread outrage across social media platforms. Panoli, who apologized and deleted the video shortly after posting it, was arrested by Kolkata Police from Gurugram on May 30. The arrest led to a political controversy, with critics calling it a case of selective targeting. Her father claimed she was attending a pre-scheduled legal internship and was not absconding. Amid claims of procedural lapses, the court granted her interim bail upon a ₹10,000 bond, barring her from leaving the country. The case sparked debates over free speech, religious sensitivity, and digital accountability. The Calcutta HC also asked Kolkata Police to combine all FIRs and investigate them jointly. Meanwhile, Wajahat Khan Qadri—the complainant—is also facing FIRs for allegedly uploading inflammatory content. The case remains under judicial review, highlighting the complex intersection of law, social media, and communal harmony in India today.
KEY WORDS:
Sharmistha Panoli
Calcutta High Court bail
Operation Sindoor video case
Social media controversy
Communal comments India
Religious sentiments law India
Kolkata Police arrest
Law student arrested Instagram
Freedom of speech India
Hate speech arrest
Wajahat Khan Qadri FIR
FIR for Instagram post
Indian influencer controversy
Calcutta HC interim bail
Viral video arrest
Political reaction Operation Sindoor
Digital speech regulation
Controversial video India
Instagram apology post
Selective arrest debate

HASH TAGS:
#SharmisthaPanoli
#OperationSindoor
#CalcuttaHighCourt
#FreedomOfSpeech
#SocialMediaControversy
#ReligiousSentiment
#InfluencerArrest
#IndiaNews
#KolkataPolice
#JudicialCustody
#ViralVideoIndia
#DigitalRightsIndia
#BailGranted
#CommunalHarmony
#LegalControversy
#DemocraticNewsTV
#ShibnathKhan