Sharmistha Panoli News: Kolkata Police has rejected the criticism of the 'illegal' arrest of a 22-year-old female 'Instagram influencer' for uploading a video containing communal comments, claiming that all legal procedures have been followed in this regard. Defending the arrest of social media 'influencer' Sharmistha Panoli, the police said that the case was 'properly investigated and legal procedures were followed.'
Kolkata Police said this in a Facebook post
Kolkata Police said in a post on Facebook on Sunday, 'Kolkata Police acted legally as per the procedure established by law. The accused was not arrested for expressing patriotism or personal belief. Rather, legal action was taken against her for sharing objectionable content promoting hatred between communities.'
Police told the reason for the arrest
Kolkata Police said, 'The matter was duly investigated and following legal procedures, several attempts were made to serve notice to the accused under Section 35 of the BNSS (Indian Justice Code), but each time she was absconding. As a result, an arrest warrant was issued by the competent court, after which she was lawfully arrested from Gurgaon during the day. After this, she was produced before the appropriate magistrate and her transit remand was granted as per due process of law. Later the court sent her to judicial custody.'
What was the whole matter?
Section 35 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) outlines the circumstances under which police officers can arrest a person without a warrant or court order. The Kolkata Police had arrested the woman for allegedly uploading a video containing communal remarks, claiming that Bollywood actors were silent on Operation Sindoor. Kolkata Police said, 'Some social media accounts are spreading misinformation that Kolkata Police has illegally arrested a law student for protesting against Pakistan. This discussion is mischievous and misleading.'
A case was registered against the girl on May 15
A case was registered against the girl at Guard Reach police station on May 15 for posting a video. Regarding the video, Kolkata Police had claimed, 'It insults the religious faith of a section of the citizens of India and promotes animosity and hatred between different communities. The case was registered under the appropriate section of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). A case has been registered against the accused girl for promoting enmity between different groups, malicious acts with intent to hurt religious sentiments, deliberate insult and inciting to disturb the peace. She has been sent to judicial custody till June 13 after a Kolkata court rejected her bail plea.
BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar alleges arrest for vote bank
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal unit president Sukanta Majumdar has criticised the Kolkata Police for its "over-activity" in arresting a woman for posting a video. The BJP leader has alleged that the arrest was not for justice but for appeasement keeping the vote bank in mind. He said, "22-year-old law student Sharmistha Panoli was arrested after the video was removed and a public apology was made. There was no riot. There was no disturbance. Yet Mamata Banerjee's police took action overnight. Not for justice but for appeasement. But when TMC leaders insult Sanatan Dharma, make fun of Maha Kumbh and spread communal venom, there is no FIR, no arrest, no apology. This is not justice. This is a vote bank vendetta." sharmistha panoli arrested news
