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Wajahat Khan is facing two complaints — one of which was filed by advocate Vineet Jindal, though it has not yet been registered as a case/FIR.
Wajahat Khan and Instagram influency Sharmistha Panoli | File image
The Kolkata Police registered a case against Wajahat Khan, who had lodged the complaint that led to the arrest of Instagram 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 Friday (May 30) and brought to Kolkata, where she was presented before a magistrate and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Sources told CNN-News18 that 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).
It further stated that Khan, who heads the Kolkata-based Rashidi Foundation, is facing two complaints — one of which was filed by advocate Vineet Jindal, though it has not yet been registered as a case/FIR.
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.
🚨 Advocate Venet Jindal @Delhipolol And @DCP_IFSO Wajahat Khan has filed a complaint against Qadri Rashidi. pic.twitter.com/oH6J6g7j9I– adv.vineet jindal (@vineetjindal19) June 1, 2025
Sharmistha Panoli’s Arrest
Panoli’s arrest came in response to a complaint filed at the Garden Reach Police Station on May 15, alleging that she posted a video that insulted religious sentiments and promoted communal disharmony.
In the video, Panoli criticised Bollywood actors—particularly Muslim stars—for their silence on Operation Sindoor, a military strike targeting terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The video, which included abusive language and communal remarks, sparked significant backlash online and was subsequently taken down. Panoli later issued an apology.
The Kolkata Police on Sunday defended the arrest of the Instagram influencer, stating that legal action was taken not for expressing national sentiments, but for allegedly delivering hate speech and abusive language in a video.
In a detailed clarification justifying her arrest, the police noted that hate speech and abusive language “should not be misconstrued as freedom of speech and expression”
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be…Read More
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be… Read More
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