SC Stays Arrest of Wazahat Khan, Complainant in Sharmistha Panoli Case, in Hate Speech FIRs Outside Bengal

The Supreme Court on June 23 granted interim protection to Wazahat Khan, staying his arrest in FIRs registered in Assam, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Haryana over allegedly inflammatory social media posts. 

The bench of Justices K.V. Viswanathan and N. Kotiswar Singh issued notice to the Union and concerned states on Khan’s plea seeking the consolidation of these FIRs, which he claims were retaliatory after he filed a complaint against influencer Sharmistha Panoli . 

The Court highlighted that “hate speech is not covered under free speech” and noted that Khan has deleted the posts, apologised, and is cooperating with investigations . The matter will be heard next on July 15, 2025.