Kolkata man, who complained against influencer Sharmishta Panoli, faces FIR for delivering ‘hate speech’
The Kolkata Police registered a case against Rashidi Foundation chief Wajahat Khan, who had filed the complaint that led to the arrest of social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli, for delivering “hate speech" on social media and hurting religious sentiments.
Panoli, a law student and social media influencer, was arrested in Gurugram on May 30 and brought to Kolkata. She was presented before a magistrate and remanded to 14-day judicial custody.
Kolkata Police received a complaint against Khan a day ago, following which he was booked under relevant provisions of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), CNN-News18 reported, quoting sources.
Khan is facing two complaints, one of which was filed by advocate Vineet Jindal, although it has not yet been booked as a case.
Advocate Jindal filed an official complaint with the Delhi Police and Cyber Crime Unit against Wajahat Khan, accusing him of online hate speech, religious defamation, and abusive content under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the IT Act.
🚨 एडवोकेट वीनेत जिंदल ने @DelhiPolice और @DCP_IFSO को वज़ाहत खान क़ादरी राशिदी के खिलाफ शिकायत दर्ज कराई है।
— Adv.Vineet Jindal (@vineetJindal19) June 1, 2025
आरोप:⁰🔹 ऑनलाइन नफ़रत फैलाना⁰🔹 धार्मिक भावनाओं का अपमान⁰🔹 अभद्र और आपत्तिजनक भाषा का प्रयोग
वज़ाहत खान Rashidi Foundation का सदस्य है — वही संस्था जो Sharmistha… pic.twitter.com/oH6J6g7j9I
The official complaint to Kolkata Police referred to 'hate speech targeting the Hindu community', which was sexually explicit and included vulgar language as well as communal provocation.
Sharmishta Panoli arrest
The Kolkata Police arrested social media content creator Sharmishta Panoli from Gurugram on charges of promoting enmity and outraging religious feelings on social media.
The Pune-based law student had earlier tendered an apology for the comments that had sparked widespread online outrage.
In the Instagram video, which has now been deleted, the law student had reportedly slammed Bollywood celebrities for their silence on "Operation Sindoor."
According to reports, her “disrespectful and derogatory” remarks in the video were directed at a particular religion.
After the video triggered an online outrage, an FIR was lodged against her.
She had earlier tendered an apology for her remarks on X writing: "I do hereby tender my UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY whatever was put are my personal feelings and i never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody so if anybody is hurt I’m sorry for the same. I expect co-operation and understanding. Henceforth, i will be cautious in my public post. Again please accept my apologies."
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