Bar Council of India Chairman and BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra strongly criticized the arrest of law student Sharmishta Panoli by Kolkata Police for a social media post. He demanded her immediate release, citing a serious violation of free speech and judicial fairness.

BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra Condemns Arrest of Sharmishta Panoli, Urges Immediate Release

In a powerful statement released on June 2, 2025, Manan Kumar Mishra, senior advocate and chairperson of the Bar Council of India (BCI), as well as a BJP Rajya Sabha MP, strongly opposed the arrest of 19-year-old law student and Instagram influencer Sharmishta Panoli by the Kolkata Police.

Allegations Over Religious Sensitivities

Panoli was detained over a social media video that allegedly hurt religious sentiments in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. Despite her public apology and deletion of the post, she was arrested in Gurugram and transported to Kolkata under transit custody. On May 31, she was remanded to 14 days of judicial imprisonment by a local court in the Alipore neighborhood.

Freedom of Speech Must Be Respected

Mishra called the arrest a blatant misuse of power and a serious attack on the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression. He stated, “Word choice alone does not constitute blasphemous behavior. It’s unacceptable for a young student to become a scapegoat while politically aligned individuals avoid accountability.”

Call for Legal and Judicial Fairness

Condemning what he described as the “selective anger” and “politically motivated” action by the West Bengal government, Mishra urged authorities to ensure fairness, impartiality, and rule of law. “A fair trial and immediate release are necessary to restore faith in our judicial process,” he added.

Selective Targeting Raises Questions

The BCI Chairman highlighted the broader concern of selective targeting of certain communities by the authorities while ignoring more serious infractions by others. Mishra reiterated his support for Sharmishta Panoli, pointing to her swift apology and the disproportionate response she received in return.

Conclusion: Upholding Democratic Principles

This incident raises serious concerns about the balance between law enforcement and democratic freedoms. As calls grow louder for Sharmishta Panoli’s release, the case underscores the urgent need to protect freedom of expression, ensure judicial transparency, and prevent the misuse of state machinery for political vendettas.