The Kolkata Police has arrested a 22-year-old law student from Pune, identified as Sharmistha Panoli, on Friday night for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through an Instagram video.

The arrest took place at Gurugram, which involved police officials travelling over 1,500 kilometres, has led many across Bengal and beyond, to raise pointed questions about free speech, selective action, and the Mamata Banerjee’s government.

The arrest was based on a complaint filed in Kolkata after Panoli uploaded a video criticising a Pakistani social media user who had denied Pakistan’s role in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed by terrorists.

A day after her arrest in Gurgaon, a court in Alipore (Kolkata) rejected the bail application of 22-year-old Hindu influencer Sharmistha Panoli. The court also turned down the prosecution’s request for police custody and remanded her to 14 days of judicial custody.

Confirming the development, Panoli’s advocate, Mohammed Samimuddin told ANI, “We moved our bail application before the court, citing that the articles allegedly used by the prosecution — her mobile phone and laptop — had already been seized. However, the court heard our plea but rejected the police custody prayer and ordered judicial custody till June 13, 2025.”

In her post, Sharmistha criticised the denial, referred to religious radicalism, and used phrases that some viewers alleged were derogatory.

Although she deleted the video and issued an unconditional apology, stating that she never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments, the Kolkata police took swift action.

When multiple attempts to serve her legal notice failed, a court warrant was issued. She was arrested in Gurugram and brought to Kolkata, where she was produced in Alipore Court on Saturday.

According to reports circulating online, the video was a response to a Pakistani user’s claim that India had started the war without reason, and that Pakistan was not responsible for the Pahalgam killings.

Panoli responded by questioning the denial and made controversial references to '72 hoors' and ‘jihad’ (holy war)’.

The video was widely shared by users alike, who tagged Kolkata Police and demanded her arrest for “insulting the Prophet.”

A large section of social media users condemned the police action.

Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who holds the home portfolio, has come under direct fire from critics.

Many pointed out that no action was taken against those who threatened Panoli with rape, murder, and beheading online and accused the Banerjee government of ‘Muslim appeasement’.

One post questioned, “When will Mamata Banerjee arrest her?” — sharing an old tweet by TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh that once stirred controversy for a condom-on-Shivling meme.

Another user posted: “Kolkata Police and their priorities .”

Panoli was initially at the receiving end of online abuse. Screenshots of rape threats and beheading have flooded the internet since her video surfaced.

Panoli posted on X: “I have been trolled, threatened to be attacked and to be raped, murdered and taught a lesson for venting my anger towards radical Pakistani terrorists who killed my innocent countrymen in the horrific Pahalgam terror attack… But I bore it all because for me, my country comes first.”