In a major relief for Pune law student and influencer Sharmishta Panoli, who was arrested For communal remarks, has been granted interim bail by the Calcutta High Court with conditions. the 22-year-old was arrested from Kolkata over communal remarks in a video linked to Operation Sindoor. The Court has directed Panoli to furnish bail bond of Rs 10,000.
Panoli was arrested by the Kolkata police on May 30 from Gurugram, over two weeks after she had made the communal remarks in response to a post questioning India's military action after the Pahalgam attack.
Earlier this week, the court denied interim bail to Panoli, citing that "Freedom of speech does not mean one can hurt the sentiments of another person or community." However, the interim bail came on Wednesday after further hearing.
Notably, the social media influencer had posted a video on her Instagram and X account in which she allegedly made blasphemous remarks against Prophet Mohammad.
However, after receiving a backlash, she deleted the video and apologised for her remarks. On May 15, an FIR was filed against her and two days later warrants were issued against her.