Court notice on UK-based YouTuber's plea over online posts targeting BJP leaders

The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued notice to the Mumbai Police on a plea filed by a UK-based doctor and YouTuber seeking the cancellation of an FIR registered against him over alleged objectionable social media posts targeting BJP leaders.

A bench of Justice Ashwin D Bhobe sought a response from the Maharashtra government after hearing submissions from both sides. Advocate General Milind Sathe, appearing for the state, told the court that a reply would be filed within a week.

The petitioner, Dr Sangram Patil, a British national of Indian origin, has also challenged a Look-Out Circular (LOC) issued against him by the Mumbai Police during the course of the investigation.

Senior advocate Sudeep Pasbola, representing Patil, submitted that his client had travelled voluntarily from the UK and was unaware of the FIR at the time. The state government, however, argued that Patil was not cooperating with the investigation.

Patil was detained by Mumbai Police on January 10 upon his arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and was later stopped from flying back to London on January 19 due to the pending probe. He recorded his statement before the police on January 21.

The FIR was registered in December 2024 based on a complaint by BJP media cell functionary Nikhil Bhamre. The complaint alleged that Patil had posted objectionable content on a Facebook page titled ‘Shehar Vikas Aghadi’ on December 14, claiming it spread disinformation and falsehoods about the BJP and its leaders.

The FIR invokes Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which carries a maximum punishment of three years for publishing or circulating statements intended to promote enmity or hatred through electronic means.

Patil’s plea seeks cancellation of the FIR, setting aside of the LOC, removal of his name from the immigration database and interim relief from further investigation and coercive action. He has also sought permission to travel back to the UK during the pendency of the case.

The matter will be heard next on February 4.

- Ends