Bombay High Court moots lifting LOC against UK doctor Sangram Patil booked for FB posts about BJP leaders

The Maharashtra government informed the Bombay High Court on Wednesday that it has no objection to lifting the Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against United Kingdom-based doctor and YouTuber Sangram Patil if the investigation reports in the case against him are not received within three weeks [Sangram Patil v. State of Maharashtra & Ors].Patil has been accused of making objectionable statements on social media against senior BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Advocate General Milind Sathe, appearing for the State, said the Investigating Officer (IO) is attempting to expedite the probe but certain reports are awaited. He stated that in the event all reports are not received within three weeks from April 20, the State does not have any objection to lifting of the LOC. He however added that the same would be subject to Patil giving an undertaking to the State that he will remain present whenever called upon by the State police with a prior notice of 15 days..Single-judge Justice Ashwin D Bhobe was hearing Patil’s plea seeking to quash the FIR and LOC. Senior Advocate Rajiv Shakdher, appearing for Patil, argued that the Patil has been in India since January 10 due to the LOC and this has jeopardised his position as a consultant with the National Health Service (NHS) in UK.“He is living in an open-air jail. His wife, child, and patients are in England. He is on a tourist visa, not being paid, and has not faced custodial interrogation since the police do not have material. His life cannot remain in coma due to this LOC,” Shakdher submitted.Justice Bhobe then told the State,“You cannot hold a person. You have to complete your investigation at the earliest, which you have not done yet.”To facilitate the possible lifting of the LOC, the Court directed Patil to submit a draft undertaking before the public prosecutor within ten days. The undertaking is to be signed by Patil and his parents (permanent residents of India) to assure his appearance before the police when required.The matter will be next heard on May 5 when the Court will consider the undertaking and pass further orders related to lifting the LOC.Shakdher was briefed by advocates Ujjwalkumar Chavhan and Aditya Hire..The NM Joshi Marg Police Station in Mumbai booked Patil in December 2025 based on a complaint filed by BJP media cell functionary Nikhil Bhamre.The complaint alleged that Patil posted objectionable material on a Facebook page titled ‘Shehar Vikas Aghadi’ on December 14. The complaint claimed that the page spread “disinformation and falsehoods” about the BJP and its leaders.The FIR invoked Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which prescribes a maximum punishment of three years for publishing or circulating statements or rumours intended to promote enmity or hatred between communities through electronic means.Based on this FIR, the Mumbai Police is said to have detained Patil on January 10, 2026, at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, upon his arrival from London to Mumbai.He was later prevented from departing for London on January 19 due to the pending probe. On January 21, he recorded his statement before the police.Patil then approached the High Court by way of the present petition seeking directions to quash the FIR and set aside the LOC issued against him.