Sharmistha Panoli: Preparations are underway to arrest the person who filed a case against Sharmistha Panoli; Assam police reach Kolkata

A team of Assam Police has reached Kolkata with an arrest warrant for Wajahat Khan. Social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli was arrested on the complaint of Wajahat Khan. Police said that Wajahat can be arrested for posts containing hate speech and derogatory comments on social media. He is accused of hurting religious sentiments. However, he is currently absconding.

Assam Police registered a case against him earlier this week. News agency PTI reported that Kolkata Police has also registered a case against him based on a complaint by a trust called Shri Ram Swabhiman Parishad. He was not found at his Kolkata home when the police team went there. He also has several cases registered against him in other states.

Wajhat Khan had accused Panoli, who is studying law, of sharing a video on social media, which allegedly used abusive language and hurt religious sentiments. After this, Kolkata Police arrested Sharmistha Panoli. The police had rejected all allegations that they illegally arrested the 22-year-old female influencer for uploading a video containing communal remarks. Defending the arrest of Sharmistha Panoli, the police had claimed that the case was properly investigated and legal procedures were followed.

What is the matter?

Earlier, Kolkata Police had arrested the woman for allegedly uploading a video containing communal remarks, claiming that the Bollywood actor was 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 disharmony and hatred between different communities. The case was registered under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (BNS). The accused woman was charged 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.