The Kolkata Police have strongly defended their controversial arrest of social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli, asserting that the action was taken strictly within the framework of law and due process, and not for her patriotic views as alleged by some. The 22-year-old was apprehended from Gurgaon following a court-issued arrest warrant in connection with a case related to a video allegedly promoting communal disharmony.

In an official statement posted on Facebook, the Kolkata Police said, “Kolkata Police acted lawfully according to the procedure established by law. The accused was not arrested for expressing patriotism or for personal belief; legal actions were taken for sharing offensive content which promotes hatred among the communities.”

The police said that all procedural requirements were met, and that Sharmistha Panoli was earlier issued multiple notices, to which there was no response. “She was allegedly absconding, and a warrant of arrest was issued by the competent court, following which she was apprehended lawfully from Gurgaon. She was thereafter produced before the appropriate Magistrate and was granted transit remand as per due process of law. Later, the court sent her to judicial custody,” the statement read.

Panoli, a law student and content creator, had recently gained traction for calling out Bollywood celebrities for remaining silent on Operation Sindoor. However, the police maintained that the FIR against her was filed based on allegations that her videos insulted religious beliefs and incited disharmony among communities.

Countering claims circulating on social media that her arrest was a clampdown on free speech, the police clarified, “Some social media accounts are spreading false information that Kolkata Police has unlawfully arrested a law student for opposing Pakistan. This narrative is mischievous and misleading.”