Panoli’s advocate, Md Samimuddin, confirmed that a bail application has been submitted before the court.

Kolkata Police Denies ‘Unlawful Arrest’ of Law Student Over Communal Remarks, Calls Allegations ‘Mischievous and Misleading’

Kolkata Police Denies ‘Unlawful Arrest’ of Law Student latest news: Kolkata Police has refuted allegations that it unlawfully arrested Sharmistha Panoli, a Pune-based law student, for opposing Pakistan, terming the narrative as “mischievous and misleading.” The police emphasized that legal action was taken based on a communal video posted by Panoli, not for expressing patriotism.

The Panoli’s arrest sparked political debate.  BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya criticized the arrest, calling it an act of “vote bank appeasement.”

“Expressing national pride and patriotism is something every citizen and organization stands for. Kolkata Police, being no different, firmly stands with the citizens of India,” the police said in a detailed statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

Sharmistha Panoli was arrested by Kolkata Police from Gurugram on Friday for allegedly making a communal statement related to ‘Operation Sindoor’. She was produced before Alipore Court in Kolkata on Saturday and has been remanded to judicial custody until June 13.

According to a Hindustan Times report, Panoli’s advocate, Md Samimuddin, confirmed that a bail application has been submitted before the court.

Kolkata Police, in its statement posted on Sunday, said, “It is reiterated that in this case, an FIR was registered at Garden Reach Police Station on 15.05.2024 based on allegations that the accused posted a video insulting the religious beliefs of a section of Indian citizens, thereby promoting disharmony and hatred between communities. The case was filed under appropriate sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS).”

The police added that multiple attempts were made to serve a notice under Section 35 of BNSS, but Panoli was repeatedly found absconding. Subsequently, a warrant of arrest was issued by a competent court, and she was apprehended lawfully during daytime in Gurugram. She was produced before the appropriate magistrate and granted a transit remand in accordance with legal procedures. The court later sent her to judicial custody.

Kolkata Police clarified that hate speech targeting any religious group, community, or section of citizens — which may incite disharmony — is a punishable offence under the newly implemented BNSS.

“Hate speech and abusive language should not be misconstrued as freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution,” the statement added. The police reiterated that Panoli was not arrested for expressing patriotism or personal beliefs but for sharing offensive content that allegedly promoted hatred.

Urging everyone to act responsibly, the police said, “All concerned must refrain from indulging in any act which would benefit our enemies.”

Following Panoli’s arrest, the issue sparked political debate. BJP’s Amit Malviya, in a post on X, criticized Kolkata Police, stating, “This is no longer about law and order—it’s about selective enforcement.”

He added, “Sharmistha Panoli, just 22 years old, has been arrested and sent to 14-day judicial custody over a video she had already deleted and publicly apologized for on May 15. There have been no reports of communal unrest linked to her remarks, yet the Kolkata Police is acting with uncharacteristic haste.”

Malviya also questioned whether similar urgency would be applied to remarks made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “She herself has made far more divisive statements, which have had far-reaching consequences,” he alleged.

Calling the case a “vote bank appeasement,” Malviya added, “India is watching. This isn’t just a case in West Bengal — it reflects how a young Hindu woman is being targeted to appease a vote bank. Justice must not be politically convenient.”

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