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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.

Firm on The Wicket

Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar is trying his luck once again from the Vandre East Assembly constituency. He had represented his party from this constituency twice since 2014 and hence, one can assume, he is firmly standing on the wicket on his home turf. But, more than that, as the Mumbai unit president of the BJP, he is expected to fetch more seats for the party from the city and looking at his stance, he seems to be firmly in control on that pitch also.


Born on October 3, 1972 at a chawl in central Mumbai, Shelar’s family that hails from Sindhudurg district moved to the western suburb of Bandra while he was very young. Involved in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities since his school days, Shelar’s leadership qualities got a boost as he started working closely in students’ organisation Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), during his college days at Parle College where he pursued a Bachelor ’s degree in Science. Later he gained a law degree from Mumbai University and pursued legal profession.


While pursuing legal profession he also got elected as corporator to BMC and began his career in the politics. After a two-year stint at the state legislative council Shelar contested assembly election in 2014 and defeated Baba Siddiqi of the Congress. Eventually he also became the party president for the Mumbai city and took on the Shiv Sena in municipal elections in 2017. The BJP and the Shiv Sena parted ways in the local body since then.


Being a sports lover himself, Shelar worked to advance a variety of sports. He was elected as the vice president of the Mumbai Cricket Association in June 2015 and later became its president in January 2017. He has also been involved in football administration, serving as the chairman of the Mumbai district football association, which represents over 350 football clubs.


Diligent, enthusiastic and inclusive are the three words that describe him the best, he feels. Known for his dedication to serving the people and making a positive impact in the community. With a strong background in politics and governance, Shelar has become a respected leader and voice for change.

Shelar will have to play a big role in this election. Since he is responsible for the BJP’s performance in Mumbai all eyes will be on his strategy and planning. He could expect a big reward if he delivers. A failure will bring him to the square one.

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