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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.

Civil Defence course to be introduced in Mumbai University curriculum

  • PTI
  • May 11, 2025
  • 2 min read


Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has decided to introduce a civil defence course in the Mumbai University curriculum, acknowledging the key role the volunteer-based emergency response mechanism can play during emergencies amid a spotlight on the Indo-Pakistan conflict that necessitated mock drill exercises.


The government is also trying to strengthen the Directorate of Civil Defence, beset by multiple issues ranging from manpower crunch to paltry daily allowance and logistical problems, including inadequate sirens, vehicles and ambulances.


The Directorate of Civil Defence and the University of Mumbai recently signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU), finalising the inclusion of the Civil Defence course in the academic curriculum, Director of Civil Defence Prabhat Kumar told PTI.


This course will be taught in all engineering colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai and will carry a weightage of 25 marks.


"Students who wish to serve the nation while pursuing their education will get an opportunity through this course," Kumar said, adding that students will be trained in rescue operations and saving lives during emergencies.


They will also be prepared to work alongside government and civic agencies, such as disaster management cells, fire brigades, and hospitals, especially during emergency and war-like situations.


The spotlight on civil defence has intensified following mock drills conducted across coastal districts and Pune, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.


These drills aimed to raise awareness among volunteers and the general public.


The mock drills involved around 10,000 volunteers from Civil Defence, Home Guard, NDRF, and other emergency response agencies.


An official said the government is taking appropriate steps to strengthen civil defence, and its revival is underway.


The Directorate of Civil Defence has long struggled with shortages in manpower, vehicles (including rescue vans and ambulances), sirens, and training equipment.


However, these requirements are likely to be fulfilled soon, he said.


Although the sanctioned manpower for Civil Defence is 420 personnel, operations are being carried out with only 135 staff members across the state.


He said some units, like those in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, have only one full-time government employee each.


"In emergencies, Civil Defence needs its ambulances and vehicles. However, many of the existing vehicles are in poor condition, with some on the verge of being scrapped," the official noted.


Volunteers currently receive a daily allowance of Rs 150 for their service. A proposal has been submitted to the government to increase this amount to Rs 500 per day.


He added that in addition to the proposed allowance hike, proposals for increasing manpower, training equipment, and sirens have also been submitted. The government is positive about meeting these demands.

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