MUMBAI, Jan 19:
British citizen and NHS UK consultant Dr Sangram Patil was stopped at Mumbai International Airport while attempting to return to the United Kingdom, days after being questioned by Mumbai Police over social media posts critical of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The incident has triggered renewed scrutiny of the case against him and the continued enforcement of a Look Out Circular despite his cooperation with investigators.
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Dr Patil, who has been openly critical of the BJP on social media platforms, had travelled to India earlier this month with his family. On January 10, Mumbai Police detained him for questioning in connection with a Facebook post. The Crime Branch later clarified that the action did not constitute an arrest and was limited to questioning alone. As part of the investigation, Dr Patil appeared before Unit 3 of the Mumbai Crime Branch on the same day and again on January 16, when he submitted a written statement.
According to sources, Dr Patil had informed investigating officers that he would be returning to the UK on the morning of January 19 and was assured that the Look Out Circular issued against him would be withdrawn prior to his departure. However, the situation unfolded differently at the airport. Dr Patil reached Mumbai International Airport early on January 19 to board an 8 am IndiGo flight to London, but was stopped at the immigration counter and informed that he could not travel abroad due to an active Look Out Circular. His onward journey was halted without prior notice.
The case against Dr Patil is being investigated by Mumbai Crime Branch officers Sharad Dharave and Milind Kathe. A case has been registered in the Cyber Crime Department under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, based on which the Look Out Circular was issued.
The complaint in the matter was filed by Nikhil Shamrao Bhamre, a resident of Thane West and social media convenor of the BJP Maharashtra region. According to the complaint, objectionable content was published on December 14 from the Facebook accounts ‘Shahar Vikas Aghadi’ and ‘Dr Sangram Patil’. The posts were alleged to be derogatory, misleading and hateful towards national leaders and the BJP, with claims that objectionable remarks were also made about a woman. Acting on these allegations, the Cyber Crime Department initiated action.
With Dr Patil being prevented from leaving the country despite complying with investigation procedures, the episode has drawn wider attention, including from political circles, and has intensified debate around free expression, due process, and procedural fairness. (UNI)
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