Calcutta HC Grants Bail to Sharmistha Panoli, Orders Police Protection

‘Nothing of the words spoken by the petitioner (Panoli) could be made out (in the complaint),’ said Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury while delivering the order

The Calcutta High court on Thursday granted interim bail to Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year old law student who was arrested for allegedly posting an “offensive” video with “communal” statements.

Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury granted the interim bail on a security bond of Rs 10,000, “noting the gravity of the offence, that the petitioner is a law student and is of a tender age, and also considering the submission of her counsel that she is ready to cooperate”.

While instructing police to provide “appropriate protection” to Panoli, Justice Chowdhury said that the petitioner “shall not leave the country… if education requirements require that, it shall be moved before the Chief Judicial Magistrate.