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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.

Ganpati Bappa Morya! Mumbai’s Iconic Festival of Faith and Togetherness

In Mumbai, Ganesha does not arrive; he takes over the city, its streets, and its people's hearts.

Ganesh Chaturthi is here, an invitation to celebrate the divine presence of Lord Ganesha with devotion, festivities, and joy. This year, across Indian communities, it comes alive to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi on the 27th of August. This is a festival that welcomes Ganesha and culminates in the joyful immersion of his idols in water.


Lord Ganesha, known as the remover of obstacles and the harbinger of wisdom, holds a special place in Hindu households. Traditionally, he is worshipped first in all rituals, symbolising a fresh beginning and seeking his blessings for success and prosperity. Across India, devotees celebrate not just his divine presence but also the joy, learning, and togetherness that this festival brings.


As always, an extraordinary wave of energy is sweeping across India, with streets echoing with the rhythmic beats of Dhol, marketplaces filled with clay idols, and homes blooming with decoration. The air itself seems to be filled with enthusiasm, as if nature itself is preparing to welcome the beloved Vighnaharta – the remover of obstacles.


Celebratory mood of the arrival of Lord Ganesha

Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a religious event. It is a celebration of community, devotion, and joy. From simple clay idols brought home with love to grand pandals, every arrival is marked with festivity. His entry into our homes is an entry into our hearts, welcomed with prayers, flowers, sweets, and devotion.


Atmospheric transformation during Ganesh Chaturthi

Families gather, setting aside their busy schedules. Friends and neighbours come together in unity. Children learn stories and songs about Ganesha with innocence and joy. The festival reflects that spirituality is not about isolation but about collective celebration, togetherness, and happiness.


One city that instantly comes to mind when we think of Ganesh Chaturthi is Mumbai. Nowhere else is it celebrated with such grandeur, fervour, zeal, and energy. For Mumbaikars, Ganpati is not just a deity but a family member, a friend, and a unifying force.


In Mumbai, his arrival is truly spectacular. Apart from family celebrations, public pandals, and streets resounding with chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya", the iconic sight of watching huge idols being transported in trucks through Mumbai's bustling streets, while thousands gather to catch a glimpse of Bappa, is truly a visual treat.


Why is Mumbai's Ganesha festival special?

It was Bal Gangadhar Tilak who made a private household celebration into a community-wide gathering to unite Indians during the freedom movement in 1893. Mumbai has carried the legacy forward with unmatched enthusiasm.


Famous and popular Ganesh pandals in Mumbai

Lalbaugcha Raj (King of Lalbaugcha), known as 'wish-fulfilling Ganpati' Ganesh Galli Mumbaicha Raja is famous for its unique theme and decoration.


Siddhivinayak temple Ganpati-- the temple itself is a spiritual landmark.


While these famous pandals attract millions, the heart of Mumbai’s celebration also lies in its countless neighbourhood festivities. Even modest homes and housing society pandals welcome Ganesha with equal devotion, demonstrating that the spirit of the festival transcends scale and grandeur.


Visarjan -- The emotional farewell

Idols are taken for immersion in water bodies or the Arabian Sea. The procession towards Girgaon Chowpatty, Juhu Beach, or Powai Lake is breathtaking. Streets turn into a carnival. In Mumbai, farewell is not seen as an end but as a symbol of the cycle of life. The chant 'Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ye' reflects hope, faith, and eagerness to welcome him again.


In Mumbai, Ganesha does not arrive; he takes over the city, its streets, and its people's hearts. It is not just a festival in Mumbai; it is an emotion.


With Bappa's blessings, let us remove obstacles from our hearts and fill our lives with kindness and gratitude. Until he returns, again, Morya re!

Happy Ganeshotsav to everyone. Let Bappa bless all of us!

 

(The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

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