Kolkata Police arrest 22-year-old law student Sharmishta Panoli over controversial Operation Sindoor remark

The Pune-based law student had earlier tendered an apology for the comments that had sparked widespread online outrage.

According to reports, she was detained at a hotel in Gurugram.

In the Instagram video, which has now been deleted, the law student had reportedly slammed Bollywood celebrities for their silence on "Operation Sindoor."

“The case pertains to an Instagram video by Sharmistha Panoli that hurt the religious sentiments of the members of a particular community,” a senior police officer told ThePrint.

Sources told the news portal that 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.

As per police sources, the FIR was lodged under sections 196(1) (a) promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community, 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens), 352 ( intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace), 353(1)(c) (statements that incite public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, reported Hindustan Times.

She had earlier tendered an apology for her remarks on X when she wrote: " 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."