Calcutta High Court denies bail to law student held for alleged communal post

The Calcutta High Court Tuesday denied the bail plea of Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student and social media influencer, who was arrested by Kolkata Police for alleged offensive comments that - although retracted later - were deemed to have hurt the sentiments of a religious community.

"This case and this incident have given rise to three or four more cases. So, admittedly, the sentiments of a section of people in our country has been hurt," observed Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee, who was hearing the case Tuesday at the High Court. "We have freedom of speech and expression. That does not mean you will go on to hurt the sentiments of others. Our country is full of diversity--various languages, caste, creed and community. While making such a submission, we have to be cautious."

The High Court also requested the state government for submission of the case diary in the next hearing on June 5.


She was arrested from Gurgaon for allegedly publishing offensive contents and hurting the sentiments of a particular community in the wake of Operation Sindoor.

A trial court has ordered a 14-day judicial remand for Panoli after she was brought to West Bengal following her arrest in Gurgaon.

"This video was made on social media, it was heard. This incident has led to a section of people's sentiment being hurt," the High Court observed. Panoli's counsel had alleged that she was being denied the basic amenities at the correctional facility where she is being held in judicial remand.