In a highly controversial move, Kolkata Police arrested Sharmistha Panoli, a fourth-year law student from Symbiosis Institute in Pune, at her residence in Delhi on May 30, 2025, over alleged derogatory remarks made in a now-deleted social media video. She has been accused of blasphemy by Islamists. The arrest, which has sparked widespread debate and accusations of illegality, was executed without prior legal notice, according to sources close to the matter.
A Delhi magistrate approved a transit remand late in the evening, allowing Kolkata Police to take Panoli into custody for transfer to Kolkata on the morning of May 31, 2025.
Background of the Controversy
The incident stems from a video posted by Panoli, known on X as @Sharmishta__19, on May 14, 2025, in response to a Pakistani follower’s question about India’s military actions following the Pahalgam terror attack.
The video, which reportedly contained inflammatory and derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), went viral, triggering a storm of criticism, including death and rape threats directed at Panoli. The hashtag #ArrestSharmishta began trending on X, with netizens, particularly from the Muslim community, demanding strict action.
So @KolkataPolice has arrested @Sharmishta__19 from Delhi. She had deleted that video and apologised as well..
Despite that they arrested her..There was no notice served to her. The cops reached Delhi with the arrest warrant.
This is an illegal arrest.Delhi Court Magistrate…
— Sunaina Holey (@SunainaHoley) May 30, 2025
On May 15, 2025, Panoli issued a public apology on X, stating, “I do hereby tender my UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY whatever was put are my personal feelings and i never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody so if anybody is hurt I’m sorry for the same. I expect co-operation and understanding. Henceforth, i will be cautious in my public post. Again please accept my apologies.”
I do hereby tender my UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY whatever was put are my personal feelings and i never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody so if anybody is hurt I’m sorry for the same. I expect co-operation and understanding. Henceforth, i will be cautious in my public post. Again…
— Sharmishta (@Sharmishta__19) May 15, 2025
She also deleted the controversial video. In a separate post, Panoli explained that her remarks were a reaction to trolling and threats from “Radical Pakistani terrorists” and emphasised her patriotism, saying, “Mere liye mera desh pehle aata hai” (My country comes first for me).
Despite her apology, the Maharashtra Police filed an FIR against Panoli on May 20, 2025, under sections 196 (promoting hatred or enmity between religious communities), 299 (deliberate and malicious act, intended to outrage religious feelings), and 353 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The case gained further traction when All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan publicly demanded her arrest, stating, “No Muslim will tolerate abusive words about our Prophet.”
ये है @Sharmishta__19 इस ने हमारे नबी ( pbuh ) के बारे में बहुत ही बेहूदा अल्फ़ाज़ इस्तेमाल किया है जो कोई भी मुसलमान बर्दाश्त नहीं करेगा।
जब पूरा देश एक साथ मिलकर
खड़ा है इस वक्त इस तरह की भाषा बोलकर ये देश में साम्प्रदायक तनाव फैलाने की कोशिश कर रही है।
हमारी भारत के ग्रह… pic.twitter.com/X9DEVEk8ZU— Waris Pathan (@warispathan) May 14, 2025
The Arrest and Allegations of Illegality
According to posts on X, Kolkata Police arrived at Panoli’s Delhi residence on May 30, 2025, and arrested her without serving prior legal notice or presenting a warrant at the time of arrest. The lack of transparency in the arrest process has led to accusations of illegality, with some netizens and supporters labelling it as treating “a young girl like a terrorist.”
A Delhi magistrate approved the transit remand at 7:30 p.m. on May 30, allowing Kolkata Police to take custody of Panoli and transport her to Kolkata for further proceedings.
X users have argued that the process violated legal protocols. The Delhi High Court has previously emphasised the importance of providing written grounds for arrest to ensure the accused can seek legal recourse, as mandated in a November 2024 ruling.
Additionally, the Supreme Court’s guidelines in cases like Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar (2014) and Joginder Kumar v. State of UP (1994) stress that arrests must be justified with reasonable cause and that magistrates must scrutinise grounds before approving remand. The absence of prior notice and the nighttime approval of the transit remand raise questions about compliance with these guidelines.
Role of Team Rising Falcon
A group identifying as Team Rising Falcon claimed credit for Panoli’s arrest, stating on X that their “persistent efforts” and “bold demands” ensured action against her alleged hate speech. The group, which positions itself against religious hatred, faced accusations of inciting the arrest and contributing to the controversy. They countered these claims, asserting that “truth and justice will always win” and that they stood firm despite “false accusations” aimed at derailing their campaign.
✊ Sharmistha Arrested After Strong Demand by Team Rising Falcon!
Sharmistha, who made derogatory and inflammatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), has finally been arrested by Kolkata Police.
Team Rising Falcon raised their voice boldly and consistently demanded strict… pic.twitter.com/JYRCAaFELY
— Team Rising Falcon (@TheRFTeam) May 30, 2025
Public and Political Reactions
The arrest has ignited a polarised debate on X and other platforms. Supporters of Panoli, such as @VigilntHindutva and @devdebunks, argue that she was unfairly targeted for expressing patriotic sentiments during a time of heightened India-Pakistan tensions. They claim her apology and deletion of the video should have been sufficient, with @devdebunks alleging that the arrest reflects an attempt to suppress nationalist voices.
Conversely, users like @Ind_SpeakMuslim and @eEliteMale have hailed the arrest as a victory for justice, emphasising that “blasphemy” and hate speech cannot be tolerated.
Waris Pathan’s vocal demand for Panoli’s arrest has drawn particular scrutiny, with some X users, including the original poster, holding him “totally responsible” for the outcome. The involvement of a prominent political figure has further fueled accusations of political motivations behind the arrest.
Legal and Social Implications
Panoli’s family has vowed to fight the case in court, asserting that she is “paying the price for standing by the country.” Legal experts note that the arrest could face challenges if it is proven that due process was not followed, particularly regarding the lack of prior notice and the expedited transit remand.
The Supreme Court has previously held police and magistrates accountable for violating arrest protocols, as seen in a 2024 case where a Gujarat police inspector and magistrate were found guilty of contempt for disregarding a court order.
The case also highlights broader tensions around free speech, religious sensitivities, and the role of social media in amplifying controversies. Panoli’s supporters argue that her remarks, while offensive, were a response to provocation and that her apology should mitigate punitive action.
Next Steps
Panoli is expected to be presented before a Kolkata court on May 31, 2025, where further legal proceedings will determine the course of the case. Her legal team is likely to challenge the arrest’s legality, citing procedural irregularities and the context of her apology. Meanwhile, the case continues to trend on X, with hashtags like #ReleaseSharmishta and #ArrestSharmishta reflecting the divided sentiments.
Section 295A and Blasphemy in India
India has no dedicated blasphemy law, but Section 295A of the IPC, now incorporated into the BNS as Section 299, serves as its equivalent. Enacted in 1927, it punishes “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs” with up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The Supreme Court, in Ramji Lal Modi v. State of UP (1957), upheld its constitutionality, arguing it addresses aggravated insults that disrupt public order, a reasonable restriction under Article 19(2) of the Constitution.
Since the high-profile Nupur Sharma case in 2022, there has been a surge in demands from Islamist groups, often led by religious leaders and influencers, for legal action against alleged blasphemers, frequently accompanied by protests and, in some cases, mob violence.
The Nupur Sharma Case and Mohammed Zubair’s Role
On May 27, 2022, during a Times Now debate on the Gyanvapi Mosque dispute, Nupur Sharma, then a BJP spokesperson, made remarks about Prophet Muhammad’s marriage to Aisha, citing Islamic texts. The comments were in response to a Muslim panellist’s mockery of the Shivalinga.
On May 28, Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of Alt News, shared a clipped video of Sharma’s remarks on X, captioning it, “Prime Time debates in India have become a platform to encourage hate mongers to speak ill about other religions. Times Now’s Anchor Navika Kumar is encouraging a rabid communal hatemonger & a BJP Spokesperson to speak rubbish which can incite riots.” The clip, Sharma alleged, was “heavily edited,” went viral, triggering widespread outrage, including death threats, protests, and diplomatic backlash from Gulf nations.
The fallout was severe. Sharma faced multiple FIRs across India, including in Maharashtra and West Bengal, under IPC sections 153A (promoting enmity), 295A (outraging religious feelings), 298 (hate speech), and 505 (public mischief). The BJP suspended her, and she went into hiding due to death threats.
The controversy escalated with violent incidents, including the beheading of Kanhaiya Teli in Udaipur on June 28, 2022, by two Muslim men who cited Sharma’s remarks as their motive, chanting “Gustakh-e-Nabi ki ek saza, sar tan se juda” (The only punishment for insulting the Prophet is beheading). Other killings linked to the controversy included Umesh Kolhe in Amravati and Kishen Boliya in Gujarat, both accused of supporting Sharma.
Zubair’s role drew significant criticism. Many accused him of selectively targeting Sharma while ignoring provocations by other panellists, alleging his actions incited communal unrest and endangered lives.
On June 27, 2022, Zubair was arrested by Delhi Police for a 2018 tweet deemed offensive to Hindus, charged under IPC sections 153A and 295A, though his supporters argued the arrest was retaliation for his role in exposing Sharma’s remarks. The Supreme Court granted him bail.
The Yati Narsinghanand Case
Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, a Hindu priest and head of Dasna Devi Temple in Ghaziabad, has repeatedly faced legal action for alleged hate speech against Islam. On September 29, 2024, he delivered a speech at Hindi Bhavan, Lohia Nagar, containing alleged derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad, which went viral after being shared on social media.
On October 3, Zubair posted a video of the speech on X, describing it as “derogatory and hateful,” prompting protests outside the temple and multiple FIRs against Narsinghanand in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana under BNS sections, including 196, 299, and 351(2) (criminal intimidation).
The protests, marked by “Sar tan se juda” slogans, turned violent, with stone-pelting reported in Ghaziabad. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Maulana Mahmood Madani wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding swift action against Narsinghanand.
On October 7, 2024, an FIR was filed against Zubair by Dr. Udita Tyagi, a temple associate, accusing him of inciting violence through his “provocative” and “misleading” tweet. The FIR, lodged under BNS sections 152 (endangering national sovereignty), 196, 228 (fabricating false evidence), 299, 351(2), and 356(3) (defamation), alleged Zubair conspired with AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi and Jamiat’s Arshad Madani to provoke unrest. The Allahabad High Court refused to quash the FIR on May 22, 2025, stating a fair investigation was needed.
Zubair defended himself, arguing his post aimed to expose Narsinghanand’s history of inflammatory rhetoric, not incite violence. He noted that other journalists and media outlets shared the video before him and accused authorities of targeting him to suppress his fact-checking work.
Patterns of Islamist-Led Demands and Mob Actions
Since the Nupur Sharma case, there has been a noticeable increase in Islamist-led campaigns, often amplified by religious leaders and influencers, demanding action against alleged blasphemers. These campaigns frequently involve social media mobilisation, protests, and, in extreme cases, violence.
The Panoli case mirrors this trend, with Waris Pathan’s public call for her arrest and Team Rising Falcon’s campaign credited for pressuring authorities. Similarly, the Narsinghanand case saw coordinated protests in Hyderabad and Ghaziabad, with slogans like “Sar tan se juda” and demands for legal action, echoing the Sharma controversy.
Notable incidents include:
1) Kamlesh Tiwari (2019): Killed in Uttar Pradesh for alleged blasphemous remarks, facing trial under Section 295A.
2) Kishen Boliya (2022): Killed in Gujarat for a social media post deemed blasphemous.
3) Kanhaiya Teli (2022): Beheaded in Udaipur for supporting Sharma, with killers citing Islamic Sharia as justification.
These cases highlight the dangers of mob-driven “justice” and the role of social media in escalating tensions. Leaders like Pathan, Owaisi, and Madani, along with influencers like Zubair, have been accused of amplifying outrage, though they maintain their actions aim to uphold communal harmony or expose hate speech.
Panoli is set to appear in a Kolkata court on May 31, 2025, where her legal team is expected to challenge the arrest’s procedural irregularities. The Sharma and Narsinghanand cases continue to influence public discourse, with ongoing legal battles and calls for reforming Section 295A.
The Allahabad High Court’s decision to uphold the FIR against Zubair signals continued scrutiny of his actions, while debates over blasphemy, free speech, and communal harmony remain unresolved.
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