Calcutta High Court Grants Bail to Sharmistha Panoli Amid Controversial Social Media Comments
In a significant legal growth, the Calcutta High Court has granted bail to Sharmistha Panoli, a law student, who was arrested in Gurugram following controversial comments made on social media after the “Operation Sindoor” incident. The court approved her bail on a bond of ₹10,000, allowing her to continue her studies in Pune while imposing restrictions on her travel outside the country.
Sharmistha’s arrest stemmed from a complaint filed at a police station in Kolkata, which accused her of making inflammatory remarks that allegedly targeted a specific community. following her arrest, she challenged the police action in the High Court.Justice Raja Basu Choudhury’s bench ruled that there was no immediate need for her custodial interrogation, emphasizing the importance of academic pursuits. Though, the court has restricted her from leaving the country without prior permission, stating that any educational travel abroad would require careful consideration by the lower court. The High Court has also sought the case diary from the state, indicating its intent to scrutinize the matter further.
While the right to free speech is a cornerstone of democracy, the court’s observations serve as a reminder that such freedoms come with responsibilities. Comments that incite division or target specific communities can lead to serious legal repercussions, highlighting the delicate balance between expression and societal harmony.
