Sharmistha Panoli: 'Legal procedures were followed while arresting the female influencer', claims police

Kolkata Police has rejected all allegations that they have illegally arrested a 22-year-old female Instagram influencer for uploading a video containing communal remarks. Defending the arrest of Sharmistha Panoli, the police claimed that the case was properly investigated and legal procedures were followed.

Kolkata Police said in a post on Facebook, 'Kolkata Police acted legally as per the procedure established by law. The accused was not arrested for expressing patriotism or personal belief. Legal action was taken against him for sharing objectionable content promoting hatred between communities.'

Police told how and why the arrest was made.

Kolkata Police said, 'The matter was duly investigated and several attempts were made to serve notice to the accused under Section 35 of BNSS following legal procedures, but every time she was found absconding. After this, an arrest warrant was issued by the competent court, after which she was legally arrested from Gurgaon. Thereafter, she was produced before the appropriate magistrate and sent to transit remand as per due process of law. Later, the court sent her to judicial custody.'

What is the case?

Earlier, Kolkata Police had arrested the woman for allegedly uploading a video containing communal remarks, claiming that Bollywood actors were silent on Operation Sindoor. Kolkata Police said, 'Some social media accounts are spreading misinformation that Kolkata Police has illegally arrested a law student for protesting against Pakistan. This story is mischievous and misleading.'

Case registered at Garden Reach Police Station on May 15

A case was registered against the woman at Garden Reach Police Station on May 15, alleging that she had posted a video, which insulted the religious faith of a section of the citizens of India and promoted enmity and hatred between different communities. The case was registered under the appropriate section of the Indian Penal Code (BNS). The accused woman was booked under relevant sections including promoting enmity between different groups, malicious acts with intent to outrage religious feelings, intentional insult, and provocation to breach of peace. Following this, she was arrested in Gurgaon. She was then brought to Kolkata. A court here rejected her bail plea and sent her to judicial custody till June 13.

Sukanta Majumdar had made allegations

BJP West Bengal president Sukanta Majumdar criticized the Kolkata Police for arresting the woman for allegedly posting the video. The BJP leader has alleged that the arrest was not for justice but for appeasement. He said, '22-year-old law student Sharmistha Panoli was arrested even after the now-deleted video and public apology. No riots. No unrest. Yet Mamata Banerjee's police acted overnight. Not for justice, but for appeasement. When TMC leaders insult Sanatan Dharma... make fun of Maha Kumbh and spread communal venom, there is no FIR, no arrest, no apology. This is not justice. This is vote bank vendetta.'