2 minutes of readingFebruary 10, 2026 03:04 pm IST
The Bombay High Court on Monday said it will hear on February 17 a plea by a UK-based doctor and YouTuber, Sangram Patil, challenging an FIR and a look-out circular (LOC) issued against him for allegedly posting objectionable content against BJP leaders on social media.
As the matter before Justice Ashwin D Bhobe of the high court could not be taken up due to lack of time, advocate Ujjwalkumar Chavhan, representing Patil, sought an urgent hearing alleging that the jobs of UK citizens were at stake due to the state action. The judge said he “will do everything possible” to hear the matter on February 17, a date mutually agreed upon by the petitioner and the lawyer he represents. Bombay Policy.
The police, in their affidavit in response to the statement, stated that the investigation against Patil was at a “critical stage” and that “the possibility of an organized effort to defame the constitutional authority cannot be ruled out.”
Patil sought directions from the court to quash and quash the December 14 FIR registered by the Mumbai Police and also sought stay of further investigation and protection from coercive action pending hearing of the matter. He also requested the annulment of the LOC issued against him which prevented him from traveling to the United Kingdom.
He was detained on January 10 upon arrival at Mumbai International Airport and was subsequently prevented from leaving the country.
Patil claimed that the FIR did not allege any incitement to violence, threat to public order or disturbance of public tranquillity.