Kolkata, 05 June (H.S.): The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to 22-year-old social media influencer and law student Sharmishtha Panoli, who was recently arrested in connection with a controversial video posted after the Centre’s ‘Operation Sindoor’. Justice Raja Basu of the single bench issued the order, imposing strict conditions on her bail.

Panoli was arrested on May 30 from Gurugram, Haryana, following an FIR lodged at Garden Reach police station in Kolkata. According to the court’s directive, she must furnish a bail bond of ₹10,000. The court further ruled that she cannot travel abroad without prior permission from the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), and even for domestic travel related to her studies—such as to Pune—prior court approval is mandatory.

The court also directed that Panoli be provided police protection if required.

A resident of Anandapur in Kolkata, Panoli had posted a video on social media after the launch of 'Operation Sindoor', which she later deleted and issued an apology for. The video allegedly hurt the sentiments of a particular community, triggering public outrage and a formal police complaint.

Her arrest drew widespread attention, especially after it was revealed that she had been tracked down and apprehended from outside West Bengal. With interim bail granted, the legal proceedings against her will continue as she remains under judicial scrutiny.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh