The Bombay High Court may lift the LOC against UK-based doctor Sangram Patil if probe reports are delayed beyond three weeks. The State said it has no objection, subject to Patil assuring cooperation with the investigation.
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday told the Bombay High Court that it has no objection to lifting the Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against UK-based doctor and YouTuber Sangram Patil, provided that the pending investigation reports in the case are not received within the next three weeks. The submission came in the case titled Sangram Patil v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.
Patil is facing allegations of posting objectionable content on social media targeting senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Appearing for the State, Advocate General Milind Sathe informed the Court that the Investigating Officer is trying to speed up the investigation, but some reports are still awaited. He stated that if these reports are not received within three weeks from April 20, the State would not oppose lifting the LOC. However, he clarified that this would be subject to Patil giving an undertaking that he will appear before the police whenever required, with at least 15 days’ prior notice.
The matter was heard by Justice Ashwin D Bhobe, who was dealing with Patil’s petition seeking quashing of the FIR and the LOC issued against him.
Senior Advocate Rajiv Shakdher, representing Patil, strongly argued that the LOC has severely affected his client’s life and career. He pointed out that Patil has been stuck in India since January 10 due to the LOC, which has put his professional position with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) at risk. Highlighting the hardship faced by his client, Shakdher submitted, “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.”
Taking note of the delay in the investigation, Justice Bhobe expressed concern over the situation and told the State, “You cannot hold a person. You have to complete your investigation at the earliest, which you have not done yet.”
To move forward on the issue of lifting the LOC, the Court directed Patil to submit a draft undertaking to the public prosecutor within ten days. This undertaking must be signed by both Patil and his parents, who are permanent residents of India, assuring that he will cooperate with the investigation and appear before the authorities whenever required.
The Court has scheduled the next hearing for May 5, when it will review the undertaking and pass further orders regarding the possible lifting of the LOC.
The case originates from an FIR registered by the NM Joshi Marg Police Station in Mumbai in December 2025. The complaint was filed by BJP media cell member Nikhil Bhamre, who alleged that Patil had posted objectionable content on a Facebook page named ‘Shehar Vikas Aghadi’ on December 14. According to the complaint, the posts spread “disinformation and falsehoods” about the BJP and its leaders.
Based on this complaint, the police invoked Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which deals with publishing or circulating statements intended to promote enmity or hatred between communities through electronic means, carrying a maximum punishment of three years.
Following the FIR, Patil was detained by Mumbai Police on January 10, 2026, at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport when he arrived from London. He was later stopped from leaving India on January 19 due to the ongoing investigation and recorded his statement before the police on January 21.
Subsequently, Patil approached the High Court seeking relief, including quashing of the FIR and removal of the LOC, leading to the present proceedings.
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