Wajahat Khan, who had previously filed a complaint against social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli, has been arrested in Kolkata. He is accused of sharing objectionable content targeting Hindu deities and inciting religious tensions. Reports indicate that Khan had been absconding since June 1 and ignored three summons issued to him. Ultimately, Kolkata Police apprehended him from his residence.
Accusations Against Wajahat Khan
Interestingly, Wajahat Khan, who had initially taken legal action against Sharmistha Panoli, now finds himself in legal trouble for allegedly posting inflammatory and disrespectful content against Hindu gods and goddesses. He is accused of using derogatory language and inciting hatred against the Hindu community. The complaint was officially lodged against him on June 2 by an organization called Shri Ram Swabhiman.
Assam Police Also Involved in Khan’s Arrest
Khan is currently facing multiple cases across different states. The Assam Police had also registered a case against him for spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments through his online posts. They even conducted a raid in Kolkata recently in an attempt to arrest him, but he managed to evade them at the time.
Sharmistha Panoli Arrested Earlier from Gurugram
Sharmistha Panoli, a law student and social media influencer, was arrested on May 30 from Gurugram, Haryana, by the Kolkata Police. According to authorities, after her controversial post went viral, both she and her family went missing. A warrant was subsequently issued for her arrest. Panoli had sparked outrage with her comments criticizing Bollywood celebrities for their silence during “Operation Sindoor,” using language deemed offensive and communal. Though she later deleted the post and issued a public apology, legal action was still taken against her.
Panoli Granted Interim Bail
After her arrest, Sharmistha was granted interim bail on May 30. As part of the bail conditions, she must remain within the country and was required to pay a fine of ₹10,000. During the bail hearing, the court emphasized that freedom of speech is not absolute and cannot be used to hurt religious sentiments.
Who is Sharmistha Panoli?
22-year-old Sharmistha Panoli hails from Anandpur in Kolkata, West Bengal. She is a social media influencer and currently pursuing a law degree from a university in Pune. Her recent controversies have brought her into the national spotlight.
