Social media influencer and law student Sharmistha Panoli, who was arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments, has got interim bail from the Calcutta High Court today. She was arrested by the police on May 30 on charges of hurting religious sentiments through an Instagram video. The High Court ordered her release on a bond of ? 10,000. She has also been banned from leaving the country. Earlier on June 3, the trial court had rejected her bail plea, saying that freedom of expression cannot be allowed to be misused. Panoli had deleted the video and apologized, but an FIR had already been registered before her arrest.

The Kolkata Police arrested the 22-year-old law student from Gurugram in Haryana and then took him to Kolkata on transit remand. He was produced in the city court on May 30. After a detailed hearing in the case, he was sent to judicial custody till June 13. An FIR was registered against him at Kolkata's Garden Reach Police Station on May 15 for posting a video on Instagram. In this video, she made some comments on 'Operation Sindoor', which allegedly hurt the religious sentiments of a particular community.

Sharmishtha was arrested from Gurugram

After receiving severe criticism, Sharmishtha Panoli removed the video and also publicly apologised in the matter. However, on the basis of the FIR lodged, the police first sent her a notice. After this, an arrest warrant was issued against her and finally she was arrested in Gurugram. Panoli (22) is studying law in Pune. When she was produced in the city court last Saturday, the public prosecutor demanded her police custody. The public prosecutor argued that it was important for the police to know with what intention she posted such a thing on social media. Therefore, she should be taken into police custody and questioned.

Sharmishtha has already apologized

However, Sharmishtha Panoli's lawyer had then pleaded for bail. Her lawyer had argued that my client has already apologized for her comments. Even after that she is getting threatening calls. She is a law student. The police have already seized her laptop and mobile phone. Her statement has been recorded, so she should get bail at any cost. My client will cooperate in the investigation process.