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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

YouTuber challenges FIR, LoC in HC

Mumbai : The Bombay High Court issued notice to the state government on a petition filed by UK-based medico and YouTuber, Dr. Sangram Patil, seeking to quash a Mumbai Police FIR and revoking a Look Out Circular in a criminal case lodged against him, on Thursday.   Justice Ashwin D. Bhobe, who heard the matter with preliminary submissions from both sides, sought a response from the state government and posted the matter for Feb. 4.   Maharashtra Advocate-General Milind Sathe informed the court...

YouTuber challenges FIR, LoC in HC

Mumbai : The Bombay High Court issued notice to the state government on a petition filed by UK-based medico and YouTuber, Dr. Sangram Patil, seeking to quash a Mumbai Police FIR and revoking a Look Out Circular in a criminal case lodged against him, on Thursday.   Justice Ashwin D. Bhobe, who heard the matter with preliminary submissions from both sides, sought a response from the state government and posted the matter for Feb. 4.   Maharashtra Advocate-General Milind Sathe informed the court that the state would file its reply within a week in the matter.   Indian-origin Dr. Patil, hailing from Jalgaon, is facing a criminal case here for posting allegedly objectionable content involving Bharatiya Janata Party leaders on social media.   After his posts on a FB page, ‘Shehar Vikas Aghadi’, a Mumbai BJP media cell functionary lodged a criminal complaint following which the NM Joshi Marg Police registered a FIR (Dec. 18, 2025) and subsequently issued a LoC against Dr. Patil, restricting his travels.   The complainant Nikhil Bhamre filed the complaint in December 2025, contending that Dr. Patil on Dec. 14 posted offensive content intended to spread ‘disinformation and falsehoods’ about the BJP and its leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.   Among others, the police invoked BNSS Sec. 353(2) that attracts a 3-year jail term for publishing or circulating statements or rumours through electronic media with intent to promote enmity or hatred between communities.   Based on the FIR, Dr. Patil was detained and questioned for 15 hours when he arrived with his wife from London at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Jan. 10), and again prevented from returning to Manchester, UK on Jan. 19 in view of the ongoing investigations.   On Wednesday (Jan. 21) Dr. Patil recorded his statement before the Mumbai Police and now he has moved the high court. Besides seeking quashing of the FIR and the LoC, he has sought removal of his name from the database imposing restrictions on his international travels.   Through his Senior Advocate Sudeep Pasbola, the medico has sought interim relief in the form of a stay on further probe by Crime Branch-III and coercive action, restraint on filing any charge-sheet during the pendency of the petition and permission to go back to the UK.   Pasbola submitted to the court that Dr. Patil had voluntarily travelled from the UK to India and was unaware of the FIR when he landed here. Sathe argued that Patil had appeared in connection with other posts and was not fully cooperating with the investigators.

A Tale of Parallels: Uddhav and Rajiv

Uddhav and Rajiv

Uddhav Thackeray finds himself facing one of the most significant challenges of his political career. Interestingly, Thackeray’s path has striking parallels to that of Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, offering a unique lens through which to view his current journey. Both leaders were reluctant to enter politics, both compelled by family circumstances, and both eventually rose to prominent positions against a backdrop of high expectations and complex political dynamics.


Rajiv Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray came from highly influential families. Rajiv, son of Indira Gandhi, was thrust into the political arena following the tragic death of his mother, Indira Gandhi. Reluctant at first, he was drawn in by a sense of duty to carry forward the family legacy. Similarly, Uddhav Thackeray, son of the Balasaheb Thackeray, initially showed little interest in active politics. Yet, with the passing of his father, he was into the limelight majorly, driven by the need to lead the Shiv Sena and continue the legacy his father left behind.


Both Rajiv and Uddhav faced difficult challenges early on, and their respective styles became a hallmark of their leadership. Rajiv’s political journey was marked by a series of turbulent decisions, some of which are still debated today, but he is remembered with affection as a visionary prime minister who brought a modern outlook to Indian politics. Uddhav, too, has had a rocky road, especially during his tenure as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister. Despite criticism from opposition leaders, he is remembered by many for his calm yet direct approach in handling the COVID-19 crisis. His frequent Facebook Live sessions during the pandemic resonated with the people, as he addressed them with warmth, offering a family touch that endeared him to many in Maharashtra.


The stakes for Uddhav in the upcoming elections are high, and this battle is a litmus test for his leadership. The 2024 Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha election will determine whether he can secure his place as a formidable force in state politics or be overshadowed by recent party splits and opposition forces. The Shiv Sena, under Uddhav’s leadership, faces a significant challenge following the split led by Eknath Shinde, which has fractured the party in ways few could have predicted. The split has left Uddhav’s faction with fewer resources and seats in key areas such as Vidarbha, where the Congress seems to have greater influence in seat-sharing negotiations.


However, Uddhav’s appeal remains strong in areas like Mumbai, Nashik, Marathwada, and parts of the Konkan region. The upcoming elections will be a defining moment for Uddhav Thackeray.

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