The Bombay High Court has sought the Maharashtra government’s response to UK-based doctor and YouTuber Sangram Patil’s plea seeking the quashing of an FIR over alleged objectionable social media posts against BJP leaders. The matter will be heard next on February 4.
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MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court issued notice to the Maharashtra State Government and other respondents on a petition filed by UK-based doctor and YouTuber Sangram Patil, seeking quashing of an FIR registered against him for allegedly posting objectionable content on social media targeting leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Patil, a British national of Indian origin, has also challenged the Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against him by the Mumbai Police, terming it illegal and arbitrary.
A single-judge bench of Justice Ashwin D. Bhobe issued notice to the respondents after hearing preliminary submissions and posted the matter for further hearing on February 4.
Senior Advocate Sudeep Pasbola, appearing for Patil, urged the Court to consider the matter urgently, submitting that his client had voluntarily travelled from the UK to India and was unaware of the FIR registered against him at the time of his arrival.
Opposing the plea, Advocate General Milind Sathe, representing the State Government, submitted that Patil “appears to be connected with other objectionable posts” and alleged that he was not cooperating fully with the investigation. The Court accepted the State’s request to file a reply within one week.
The FIR was registered in December 2025 at the NM Joshi Marg Police Station, Mumbai, based on a complaint filed by Nikhil Bhamre, a BJP media cell functionary.
According to the complaint, Bhamre came across allegedly objectionable and misleading content posted on a Facebook page titled ‘Shehar Vikas Aghadi’ on December 14, which purportedly spread disinformation and falsehoods about the BJP and its leaders. The complaint further alleged that the same content was shared or published by Sangram Patil with the intent to create misinformation.
Based on these allegations, Patil was booked under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which provides for a maximum punishment of three years’ imprisonment for publishing or circulating statements, false information, or rumours through electronic means that promote enmity or hatred between communities.
Following the registration of the FIR, Patil was detained on January 10, 2026, upon his arrival at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, while travelling from London.
He was subsequently prevented from leaving India on January 19, owing to the issuance of the LOC. On January 21, Patil recorded his statement before the Mumbai Police as part of the ongoing investigation.
In his petition before the Bombay High Court, Patil has sought:
- Quashing of the FIR registered against him
- Setting aside of the Look Out Circular (LOC)
- Removal of his name from the immigration database, restricting overseas travel
As interim relief, Patil has also prayed for:
- A stay on further investigation and coercive action
- A restraint on the authorities from filing a chargesheet duringthe pendency of the petition
- Permission to travel back to the United Kingdom
Case Title:
Sangram Patil v. Vilas Rane
