Mumbai Police on Saturday apprehended Dr Sangram Patil, a British citizen of Indian descent, upon his arrival at the airport in connection with a case filed against him by a Bharatiya Janata Party functionary. The complaint alleges that Patil had shared objectionable and sexually explicit material targeting the BJP and its leadership last month while he was in the United Kingdom. Following detention, police issued him a notice and subsequently released him.
Patil, a medical practitioner who originally belongs to Jalgaon, was travelling back to India from the UK accompanied by his wife when he was intercepted at the airport. The detention was executed based on a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued by authorities following the registration of the first information report last month. He was escorted to the police station where, after being served a notice to appear for questioning at a later date, he was permitted to leave.
A police official explained that in accordance with Supreme Court directives, when an offence carries a sentence of under seven years, authorities refrain from making an arrest and instead issue a notice requiring the individual to cooperate with the investigation subsequently.
An officer confirmed that Patil received a notice under section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita before being released.
The case has been registered under section 353(2) of the BNS, which pertains to statements containing misinformation likely to incite feelings of hostility and animosity between communities. This provision prescribes a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment.
Following the FIR’s registration, police ordered the blocking of the content in question.
The complaint was filed by Nikhil Bhamre, who manages the BJP’s social media presence and oversees the party’s digital activities.
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In his statement submitted to NM Joshi Marg police station, where the FIR was lodged, Bhamre claimed the post contained offensive material and false information about the BJP and several of its senior leaders. The complaint also stated that the content included objectionable references to a woman.
Bhamre further alleged that Patil had deliberately circulated the post to spread misinformation. The complainant captured screenshots of the material and filed a complaint at the local NM Joshi Marg police station, based on which Mumbai Police registered the FIR.
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