Wajahat Khan Qadri, the man who filed a complaint against Instagram influencer Sharmishta Panoli for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, has now been arrested by Kolkata Police for making provocative remarks himself. Khan, known for his religious commentaries online, is facing multiple FIRs across West Bengal and Assam for allegedly posting derogatory statements about Hindu deities.
Police said Khan had been evading summons since June 1, leading to several raids across Kolkata. He was eventually arrested from areas around Amherst Street and Golf Green on Monday. He now faces charges under IPC sections including 153A (promoting enmity between groups), 295A (outraging religious feelings), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief).
This arrest comes days after influencer Sharmishta Panoli, who was earlier arrested on Khan’s complaint, was granted interim bail by the Calcutta High Court. Her case had triggered a public debate on the boundaries between hate speech and freedom of expression.
Observers have noted that both cases reveal the increasingly sensitive legal environment surrounding religious discourse in India’s digital spaces. Legal experts suggest that the application of laws in online speech incidents remains complex and often politically influenced.
Wajahat Khan’s arrest adds a new layer to the ongoing conversation about digital accountability, communal sensitivity, and how law enforcement navigates hate speech in a diverse country like India.
Credit: Based on multiple verified reports, including The Times of India and Economic Times.
