In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted interim bail to 22-year-old social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli, who was recently arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments and allegedly attempting to incite communal disharmony through her online content.
Panoli, who hails from Pune and is currently a student at Symbiosis International University, boasts a notable presence on social media platforms.
She has amassed a substantial following — approximately 85,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter) and over 90,000 followers on Instagram — making her a recognizable digital personality, especially among the youth.
Her arrest came in the wake of mounting criticism on social media regarding one of her controversial posts.
According to official sources, Panoli was taken into custody from her residence in Gurgaon on the afternoon of Friday, May 17, following a complaint that alleged she had posted content that insulted a particular religion and could incite communal tension.
The controversy began on May 14, when Waris Pathan, the national spokesperson of the political party All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), publicly condemned a video that had allegedly been uploaded by Panoli.
In his post, Pathan accused her of insulting Islam and attempting to spread religious hatred. He also tagged Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling for immediate action and her arrest.
Responding to the backlash, Panoli took to social media the following day. On May 15, she posted an unconditional public apology on her X handle.
In her statement, she expressed regret and clarified that her posts were personal opinions and were never intended to hurt any individual or community. She wrote:
“I do hereby tender my unconditional apology. Whatever was put are my personal feelings and I never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody, so if anybody is hurt, I’m sorry for the same. I expect co-operation and understanding. Henceforth, I will be cautious in my public post. Again, please accept my apologies.”
Despite the apology, a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against her. The FIR was based on a formal complaint filed by a resident named Wajahat Khan at the Garden Reach Police Station in Kolkata.
Following the FIR, police launched an investigation, which eventually led to Panoli’s arrest and subsequent remand.
The case drew significant attention both online and offline, sparking debates on freedom of expression, limits of digital speech, and the responsibility of influencers in a diverse society like India.
Supporters of Panoli argued that the backlash was disproportionate, while critics maintained that public figures must be held accountable for content that could incite religious or communal discord.
After her arrest, Panoli’s legal team moved to the Calcutta High Court, seeking relief because her apology showed no criminal intent and that she was willing to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Taking cognizance of these arguments, the High Court on Thursday granted interim bail, allowing her to be released from custody pending further proceedings.
In its ruling, the court did not dismiss the gravity of the complaint but acknowledged that bail is a legal right unless the accused poses a flight risk or might tamper with evidence.
The judge also observed that the influencer’s statement of apology and her willingness to refrain from making such posts in the future were relevant considerations in favor of granting bail.
Panoli is now expected to appear for future hearings as required and abide by any conditions laid out by the court.
The case will continue to be investigated, and authorities will assess whether her post violated laws related to communal harmony and religious sensitivity.
This incident has once again ignited conversations across the nation about the delicate balance between personal freedom on social media and the legal boundaries concerning hate speech and religious offense.
It also highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by digital influencers who, by their following, are often treated as public figures with amplified influence.
