MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued a notice on a petition by UK-based doctor and YouTuber Sangram Patil, who sought to quash an FIR registered against him by Mumbai police for alleged defamatory posts against the BJP and its leaders. Justice Ashwin Bhobe was hearing Patil’s petition, which also challenged the look-out circular (LOC) issued against him. On 10 January, Patil was detained at Mumbai airport by police and questioned in connection with a complaint lodged by BJP cell functionary Nikhil Bhamre. He was later allowed to leave. Bhamre alleged that Patil circulated false information about the ruling BJP and made derogatory comments against its leaders. On 15 January, Patil appeared before police to record his statement. The FIR was registered on 18 January, and the LOC was issued the same day. On 19 January, Patil was stopped from leaving for the UK. Senior advocate Sudeep Pasbola said Patil had come on his own from the UK. “I was not even aware of the registration of the FIR,” he said. Advocate General Milind Sathe said, “There is some connection to other posts which is similar to this and we think that he is connected with that. He is not cooperating.” Pasbola added that there were only two posts mentioned in the FIR. He urged that the matter be heard as early as possible. Justice Bhobe said the State would have to file a reply to the petition. Issuing notices to all respondents, including the State, he posted the next hearing for 4 February.
