The Court also ordered that appropriate police protection be provided to the petitioner.
Pune Law Student Sharmistha Panoli Granted Interim Bail latest news: Pune-based law student Sharmistha Panoli, who was arrested for allegedly making communal remarks against a particular community, has been granted interim bail by the Calcutta High Court.
The Court directed that the petitioner must cooperate with the ongoing investigation and is not permitted to leave India. Panoli has been granted bail upon furnishing a personal bond of rupees 10,000 along with a security bond. The Court also ordered that appropriate police protection be provided to the petitioner.
Panoli was arrested last Friday from Gurugram by Kolkata Police after she reportedly absconded multiple times.
Earlier, in response to criticism, Kolkata Police denied allegations of unlawful arrest. In an official statement, the police said, “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.”
According to the police, an FIR was registered at Garden Reach Police Station on May 15, 2024, based on allegations that the accused uploaded a video insulting the religious sentiments of a section of Indian citizens, thereby promoting disharmony and hatred between communities. The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS).
The statement further added, “Hate speech and abusive language should not be misconstrued as freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.”
“The accused was not arrested for expressing patriotism or personal beliefs, but for allegedly sharing offensive content that promoted communal hatred.”
Panoli’s arrest, carried out on the basis of a court-issued arrest warrant, sparked political debate. BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the move, calling it a case of “selective enforcement.”
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