Kolkata Police files case against Wajahat Khan, complainant in Sharmistha Panoli arrest

Kolkata Police files case against Wajahat Khan, complainant in Sharmistha Panoli arrest

The Kolkata Police has registered a case against Wajahat Khan, the person whose complaint led to the arrest of social media influencer and law student Sharmistha Panoli, for allegedly delivering hate speech and hurting religious sentiments.

Panoli was arrested late on May 30 in Gurugram by Kolkata Police and placed in 14-day judicial custody over a controversial video in which she criticized Muslim Bollywood celebrities for staying silent on "Operation Sindoor." The video, which used communal and abusive language, was later deleted by Panoli, who also issued a public apology.

Her arrest triggered political backlash, with several BJP leaders calling for her release. In response, Kolkata Police issued a statement defending the arrest, stating that hate speech and abusive language should not be mistaken for freedom of expression.

Meanwhile, Wajahat Khan has reportedly gone missing, according to his father, Saadat Khan. He told Aaj Tak that his son has not been seen since Sunday night and that the family has been receiving threatening calls following Panoli’s arrest.

Khan is now facing multiple allegations himself. Complaints have been filed against him in cities including Guwahati and Delhi, accusing him of making derogatory remarks against Hindu deities, festivals, and traditions on social media. Screenshots and videos from his accounts show posts that many believe incite communal tensions and mock Hindu practices. He also posted messages demanding and celebrating Panoli’s arrest.

Khan is reportedly the co-founder of the Rashidi Foundation in Kolkata, the organization that lodged the initial complaint against Sharmistha Panoli. However, after his social media activity came under scrutiny, users discovered several posts in which he allegedly shared hate speech targeting the Hindu community. These included derogatory comments about Hindu festivals, deities, and temples. He had also posted messages publicly calling for Panoli’s arrest and later celebrated it online.

Several groups, including the Shree Ram Swabhiman Parishad, have filed formal complaints against him, accusing him of promoting enmity between religious communities and inciting public disorder. The complaints call for action under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita—196(1)(a), 299, 352, 353(1)(c)—along with provisions of the Information Technology Act (Sections 66A and 67).

Following Sharmistha Panoli’s arrest, Wajahat Khan began receiving threatening phone calls, according to his family. In an interview with Aaj Tak, Saadat Khan, Wajahat’s father, said, “My son is innocent and secular. He would never insult Hinduism. We’ve been getting threats ever since Sharmistha was arrested.”

When asked about the complaints accusing his son of making derogatory remarks against Hinduism, Saadat Khan suggested that Wajahat’s social media account may have been hacked.