Calcutta High Court Grants Bail, Orders Police Protection for Law Student Sharmistha Panoli Amid Social Media Threats
Calcutta High Court Intervenes in Sharmistha Panoli Case
The Calcutta High Court has ordered the Kolkata Police to provide protection to law student Sharmistha Panoli, who faced threats over allegedly insulting social media posts about Islam. The court granted her bail, citing her age, the seizure of her electronic devices, and the lack of need for further custodial interrogation.
Background and Arrest
Sharmistha Panoli, a student at Symbiosis Law School, posted a video on social media with allegedly offensive remarks targeting people based on their religious identity. The video went viral, leading to backlash, after which she deleted the content and apologized on the social media platform ‘X’. Despite this, she was arrested in Gurugram on May 15, 2025, with an FIR registered against her.
Court’s Observations and Directives
Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury, while granting bail, noted that Panoli had been facing threats due to her posts. The court directed the police to provide her with proper protection against potentially threatening instances. The police were also asked to investigate her complaint and file a report on the progress of the investigation.
Key Implications and Future Developments
- The case highlights the challenges of regulating free speech in the digital age and the need for protecting individuals from threats arising out of social media posts.
- The court’s directive for police protection underscores the seriousness of the threats faced by Panoli and the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to ensure her safety.
The court’s intervention in granting bail and ordering protection sets a significant precedent in balancing the right to free speech with the need to protect individuals from harm. The case will likely have implications for how courts and law enforcement agencies handle similar situations in the future.
