Wajhat Khan's Bail Rejected, Sent to Police Remand Until June 16th. Arrested by Kolkata Police for inflammatory social media posts following a complaint filed by Sharmishtha Panoly.
New Delhi: Wajhat Khan, who filed a complaint against social media influencer and law student Sharmishtha Panoly, has himself now become embroiled in legal trouble. On Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, a Kolkata court rejected his bail plea and remanded him to police custody until June 16th. The case pertains to posts on social media that allegedly incited religious sentiments, causing widespread unrest across the country.
Charges Against Wajhat Khan
Kolkata police have leveled serious charges against Wajhat Khan. An FIR was filed against him at the Golf Green police station, alleging that he made offensive and inflammatory posts on social media against Hindu deities and traditions. These posts allegedly used obscene language, hurting religious sentiments and posing a threat to social harmony.
An organization called ‘Shri Ram Swaabhimaan Parishad’ formally filed a complaint against Wajhat on June 2nd, 2025. Further complaints were filed against him in Kolkata, Assam, and Delhi, accusing him of inciting religious hatred and spreading disharmony. Kolkata police stated that Wajhat had been absconding since June 1st and failed to appear despite three notices. He was finally arrested in Garden Reach on Monday following a police raid.
Court's Rationale for Rejecting Bail
Wajhat Khan's bail plea was heard in a Kolkata court on Tuesday. Police argued that a thorough investigation was necessary due to the potential for social unrest caused by Wajhat's posts. They stated that his custody was essential to determine his intentions and whether a larger network was involved.
The court took the police's arguments seriously and rejected Wajhat's bail application. He was remanded to police custody until June 16th, 2025, to allow for a comprehensive investigation. This decision reflects the court's firm stance against inflammatory content on social media.
Sharmishtha Panoly's Case
This entire controversy began with Sharmishtha Panoly, against whom Wajhat Khan filed a complaint. Panoly, a law student and social media influencer, was arrested by Kolkata police from Gurugram on May 30th, 2025. She had posted a video on her Instagram and X accounts targeting the silence of some Muslim Bollywood stars on ‘Operation Sindur.’ The language used in the video was deemed communal and inflammatory.
Wajhat Khan filed an FIR against Panoly at the Garden Reach police station, leading to her arrest. However, Panoly subsequently removed the video and issued a public apology. Nevertheless, a Kolkata court remanded her to judicial custody until June 13th. Later, on June 5th, 2025, the Calcutta High Court granted her interim bail on a bond of ₹10,000 and ordered police protection due to threats she had received.
Complaints Against Wajhat Khan in Multiple States
The case against Wajhat Khan is not limited to Kolkata. Complaints have been filed against him in West Bengal, Assam, and Delhi. FIRs were registered against him at Garden Reach, Metiabruz, and Jatin Das Park police stations in Kolkata. Additionally, the Vishva Hindu Parishad filed a complaint in the Asansol Durgapur Commissionerate. In Assam, Wajhat is accused of insulting Maa Kamakhya and other Hindu deities at the Panbazar police station in Guwahati.
Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted about the matter on X, stating that an FIR had been filed against Wajhat and that Assam police were seeking cooperation from the West Bengal government to arrest him. This highlights the national-level attention the case has garnered.
Wajhat Khan's Father's Claim
Wajhat's father, Sadak Khan, claims his son is being framed. He stated that Wajhat did not post anything inappropriate and that his social media account may have been hacked. He also mentioned that his family had received threats since Sharmishtha's arrest, causing Wajhat to become depressed and disappear. However, police dismissed these claims and proceeded with the arrest.
