On June 3, 2025, the Kolkata High Court rejected the ad-interim bail plea of 22-year-old social media influencer Sharmishtha Panoli, stating, “Heavens will not fall” if the bail plea is deferred and the case is heard later. The court’s decision came in response to a controversial Instagram video posted by Panoli, which allegedly caused religious disharmony and hurt the sentiments of a section of society, specifically Indian Muslims. The court emphasised that the remarks in the video were admitted to have caused offence, leading to widespread unrest.
Sharmishtha Panoli’s Case and FIRs
Sharmishtha Panoli, a young influencer, was arrested by Kolkata Police in Gurgaon on charges of blasphemy stemming from an Instagram video she posted. The video, which reportedly contained derogatory remarks targeting Pakistan, was deemed offensive to Indian Muslims, sparking significant outrage. Following the video’s circulation, multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed against her, primarily under sections related to promoting enmity between religious groups and hurting religious sentiments. The Kolkata Police acted, apprehending Panoli and bringing her to Kolkata for further legal proceedings.
On May 31, 2025, a lower court in Alipore, Kolkata, rejected Panoli’s initial bail application and remanded her to 14-day police custody. The court’s decision was based on the severity of the allegations and the public unrest caused by her video.
During the June 3 hearing, the Kolkata High Court, while considering Panoli’s ad-interim bail plea, remarked that there was no urgency to grant immediate relief, stating, “Heavens will not fall” if the matter was scheduled for a later date.
Court: They are seeking ad interim bail.
State: I am opposing.
Court: This video was made on social media, it was heard, and this incident has led to a section of people’s sentiments being hurt. Look, we have freedom of speech but that doesn’t mean you will go on to hurt others. Our country is diverse, with all people. We must be cautious by saying this. So, day after tomorrow. Heavens will not fall.
The court noted that the video, widely circulated on social media, had “admittedly hurt a section of society” and contributed to religious disharmony. The judges emphasised the impact of Panoli’s actions, pointing out that the sentiments of a community had been deeply affected, justifying their decision to deny interim bail.
Who is Wazahat Khan?
Notably, one Wazahat Khan, filed an FIR at Garden Reach Police Station in Kolkata, accusing Panoli of blasphemy. Khan’s own social media history, filled with derogatory remarks against Hindus, has fuelled counter-allegations of selective outrage.
The complaint against Panoli was filed by Wazahat Khan at Garden Reach Police Station in Kolkata, leading to Case No. 136 dated May 15, 2025. Khan accused Panoli of making blasphemous remarks that outraged religious sentiments, invoking Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (now Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita). However, Khan’s own social media activity has come under scrutiny, with posts that allegedly insult Hindu deities and practices. Examples include:
1) Derogatory remarks about Bhagwan Krishna, calling him a “rangeela” (playboy) who secretly watched women bathe.
2) Labelling the Hindu festival of Holi as a “rapist culture.”
3) Insulting the Kamakhya Devi Temple, describing it as a place where Brahmins worship a “chopped vagina” and questioning whether such practices reflect “blind worship or mental sickness.”
4) Abusive language targeting Hindus, including terms like “urine drinkers” and “sick people.”
These posts, predating Panoli’s video, have gone viral, leading to accusations of hypocrisy and selective outrage.
Notably, two separate complaints have been filed against Wazahat, who had lodged an FIR against Sharmishta Panoli, after it was found that he is a habitual abuser of Hindu deities.
It is noteworthy that he is yet to be arrested by the police and is reportedly on the run.
