Wajahat Khan, complainant in Sharmistha Panoli case, arrested by Kolkata Police amid multiple FIRs

Kolkata: Wajahat Khan, whose complaint led to the arrest of 22-year-old social media influencer and law student Sharmistha Panoli, was arrested on Monday by Kolkata Police. Assam Police was searching for him while he had gone missing amid a number of FIRs against him over his offensive posts against Hindu deities and customs.

With FIRs against him in three states and at a time Assam Police was ready to visit Bengal, Kolkata Police arrested him today.
Kolkata Police said in a statement that “during investigation of Golf Green P. S. Case no.76 dated 2/6/25 u/s 196(1)(a)/299/352/353(1)(c) BNS, the team of ARS DD conducted raid at Digha and Howrah and pursuing source information the FIR named accused person Wazahat Khan (29) who is a resident of Paharpur Road in Kolkata was arrested today.”


Assam Police has alleged non-cooperation against Kolkata Police. Kolkata Police strongly refuted on Saturday “the misleading claim being circulated on social media suggesting non-cooperation with Assam Police.”

“A team of Assam Police did approach the local police authorities under PS Garden Reach in connection with an investigation. All necessary assistance was duly extended to them. The team held raids with the assistance from the local Police station and there was no resistance or issues. The team is in regular touch with officers of Kolkata Police and necessary assistance is assured to them as required. We urge all to verify facts before making such unfounded claims,” DC Port had said on Saturday.

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted interim bail to Sharmishta Panoli, a social influencer and fourth year law graduate, who was arrested by Kolkata Police from Gurugram on charges of hurting the religious sentiments of a particular community.