Did Calcutta HC Grant Interim Bail to Law Student for Hurting Religious Sentiments?
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Synopsis
The recent ruling by the Calcutta High Court has sparked discussions regarding freedom of speech versus religious sentiments. Sharmistha Panoli, a young law student, received interim bail amid a controversial arrest that raises questions about the implications of social media expression.
Key Takeaways
- Calcutta High Court granted interim bail to a law student.
- Restrictions include cooperation with the Kolkata Police.
- Threats against Panoli were acknowledged by the court.
- Political scrutiny surrounds the case.
- Freedom of speech versus religious sentiments is a central theme.
Kolkata, June 5 (NationPress) - The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted interim bail to Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student and social media influencer, who was recently arrested by the Kolkata Police on allegations of hurting religious sentiments and inciting hatred through her online posts.
A vacation bench led by Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury approved her interim bail against a personal bond of Rs 10,000.
However, this bail comes with several restrictions. The court mandated her to fully cooperate with the investigation conducted by the Kolkata Police and prohibited her from leaving the country without prior judicial consent.
Justice Basu Chowdhury remarked that if she needs to travel abroad for academic reasons, her request should be considered with utmost seriousness by the trial court.
The single-judge bench also instructed the Kolkata Police to provide complete protection to her, given the threats she encountered due to her controversial post, which she later deleted after facing backlash and issued a public apology.
The High Court further dismissed the requirement for custodial interrogation of Panoli by investigators.
It highlighted that the arrest warrant against her was executed in a mechanical manner, without proper assessment of whether a cognizable offence was truly committed. The court also noted that notice was being served while she was outside Kolkata.
An FIR against Panoli was filed at Garden Reach Police Station on May 15, following her Instagram video where she made comments regarding 'Operation Sindoor' that allegedly offended a particular community's religious sentiments.
After facing intense criticism, she deleted the video and issued a public apology, but was arrested on May 30 in Gurugram.
The trial court in Kolkata remanded her to judicial custody until June 13 on May 31.
The BJP's Bengal unit questioned the swift action taken by the Kolkata Police, labeling it as a politically motivated attack.
Point of View
I believe this case illustrates the complex intersection of law, society, and freedom of speech in our nation. While it's crucial to safeguard religious sentiments, we must also protect individual rights to express opinions, especially in the digital age. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible social media use and the legal boundaries that govern it.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the charges against Sharmistha Panoli?
Sharmistha Panoli was charged with hurting religious sentiments and promoting hatred through her social media posts.
What conditions were imposed on her interim bail?
She must cooperate with the police investigation and cannot leave the country without court permission.
What triggered the controversy?
Her Instagram video included comments related to 'Operation Sindoor' that were deemed objectionable by a particular community.
How did the court view her arrest?
The court criticized the arrest warrant as mechanical and noted that it lacked proper evaluation of a cognizable offence.
What political implications does this case hold?
The BJP's Bengal unit has called the police's swift action against her as politically motivated, raising questions about freedom of expression.
