Pune-based law student Sharmishta Panoli was arrested by Kolkata Police on May 30, 2025, at her Gurugram residence for allegedly making derogatory and inflammatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad on social media. The video post, which sparked outrage among the Muslim community, was shared on May 14, 2025, via her X account (@Sharmishta__19) and has since been deleted.
Panoli, a fourth-year student at Symbiosis Institute of Law, had issued an unconditional apology on May 15, stating that her remarks reflected personal feelings and were not intended to hurt anyone. Despite this, an FIR was registered by Maharashtra Police on May 20 under sections 196 (promoting enmity), 299 (deliberate insult with intent to outrage religious feelings), and 353 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The arrest followed widespread public demands for legal action, notably from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan, who condemned the remarks and called for her arrest.
Controversy surrounds the arrest process, with reports that Kolkata Police detained Panoli without prior legal notice or presenting the arrest warrant at the time of arrest, raising questions about procedural legality. A Delhi magistrate later approved transit remand, permitting Panoli’s custody transfer to Kolkata.
The case has sparked polarized reactions online, with some viewing the arrest as necessary to uphold religious respect and others criticizing it as suppressing free speech and nationalist expression during a tense India-Pakistan atmosphere. A social media group named Team Rising Falcon claimed credit for advocating Panoli’s arrest.
