UK doctor Sangram Patil moves plea in Bombay High Court to quash FIR over posts against BJP leaders

The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued notice on a petition filed by UK-based doctor and YouTuber Sangram Patil, who has sought quashing of a criminal case registered against him for allegedly posting objectionable content on social media about Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders [Sangram Patil v. Vilas Rane].

The British national of Indian origin has also challenged a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against him by the Mumbai Police.

A single-judge bench of Justice Ashwin D Bhobe has sought the State's response in the matter after hearing preliminary submissions.

Advocate General Milind Sathe, appearing for the State, informed the Court that a reply, if any, will be filed within a week. The matter has been posted for further hearing on February 4.

The NM Joshi Marg Police Station in Mumbai had registered a first information report (FIR) against 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 has now approached the High Court seeking directions to quash the FIR and set aside the LOC issued against him. The plea also seeks to remove Patil’s name from the database that currently restrains him from travelling abroad.

As interim relief, Patil has also prayed that the Court stay further investigation and coercive action against him, that the authorities be restrained from filing a chargesheet during the pendency of his plea, and that he be allowed to travel to the UK.

During today's hearing, Senior Advocate Sudeep Pasbola appeared for Patil and submitted that the doctor had travelled on his own from the UK and was unaware of the registration of the FIR.

Advocate General Sathe rebutted these submissions, arguing that Patil had appeared in connection with other posts and was not cooperating fully with the investigation.