Wazahat Khan Qadri, the individual who filed the initial complaint against social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli, has found himself on the other side of the law. Qadri is now facing accusations of posting "malicious and inflammatory" content online, allegedly intended to hurt the religious sentiments of a community.

The situation began when Qadri filed a complaint that led to the arrest of Sharmistha Panoli on May 30, 2025. Panoli was accused of spreading communal hatred through a video, which she later deleted, and for which she issued an apology. However, her arrest triggered a political controversy, with some criticizing the police action, arguing that she had already taken steps to rectify her mistake.

Following Panoli's arrest, multiple complaints were lodged against Qadri in various locations, including Kolkata, Mumbai, and Assam. These complaints accused him of spreading hate speech and making derogatory remarks against religious deities on social media. The complaints led to the Kolkata Police filing a First Information Report (FIR) against Qadri.

As of early June 2025, Qadri is reportedly absconding. The Kolkata Police have confirmed they are actively searching for him. A team from the Assam Police is also assisting in the efforts to locate and apprehend Qadri, with Assam's Chief Minister stating that a case has been registered against Qadri for allegedly making "unacceptable comments against Devi Maa Kamakhya."

Meanwhile, Sharmistha Panoli has been granted interim bail by the Calcutta High Court on June 5, 2025. The court has directed the Kolkata police to provide security to Panoli, citing death and rape threats she has been receiving. The court also stated that there was no need for custodial interrogation at this point, and fixed her bail amount at ₹10,000.

The arrest of Panoli and the subsequent accusations against Qadri have sparked intense debate about freedom of speech, hate speech, and the responsibility of social media users. Some view Panoli's arrest as an overreach, while others believe that Qadri's alleged actions warrant legal action.

Qadri's family members have defended him, claiming he is "innocent and secular." However, the police investigation is ongoing, and the truth will emerge as more details are revealed.