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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.

Emergency medical centers shut in Central Railway line

Updated: Mar 6, 2025

Central Railway

Mumbai: Several emergency medical centers at key railway stations on the Central Railway line, established to provide immediate medical assistance to commuters in distress, have reportedly been shut down in recent months. This has raised serious concerns about the safety of passengers who may require urgent medical attention due to sudden health issues or railway accidents.


These emergency centers were set up near railway stations to ensure prompt medical aid for passengers experiencing health complications or injuries from train-related mishaps. However, frequent complaints from commuters highlighted a lack of medical staff, doctors, and essential medical equipment at these centers. Recent information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act by activist Sameer Zaveri confirms the closure of several such facilities at major stations on the Central Railway network.


As a result, passengers in need of immediate medical care are being forced to seek treatment outside the railway premises, often losing crucial time in emergencies. Many incidents of commuters falling from local trains or getting injured while crossing railway tracks have been reported, but due to the unavailability of timely first aid, casualties have occurred.


When our reporter contacted Central Railway’s Public Relation Officer, Dr. Swapnil Neela, he stated, "Emergency medical centers are currently operational at five major railway stations. Additionally, Central Railway has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 76 hospitals located within 500 to 600 meters of railway stations, covering 41 stations under this arrangement."


Earlier inspections revealed two primary reasons for the failure of these emergency centers: the unavailability of doctors and a lack of essential medical equipment. Due to numerous complaints from passengers, railway officials conducted inspections and found that doctors were frequently absent, and emergency centers were not responding effectively.


To address these concerns, the Central Railway has now partnered with hospitals near railway stations, ensuring that passengers requiring medical assistance receive immediate treatment. The railway authorities have assured that all expenses incurred for emergency treatment at these hospitals will be covered by the railway. Passengers are urged not to panic, as necessary measures have been taken to provide medical support in case of emergencies.

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