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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.

Karnataka government orders probe into Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, DGP’s role under scrutiny

Kannada actor Ranya Rao’s arrest sparks investigation into airport protocol breach and alleged political links


Ranya Rao

The Karnataka government has launched an investigation into the high-profile gold smuggling case involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao and the alleged misuse of airport protocols. The inquiry will focus on the role of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, the stepfather of the accused, who is suspected of enabling unauthorized access at the Kempegowda International Airport.

Government Orders Investigation

On March 10, the Siddaramaiah-led government appointed Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta to examine the circumstances surrounding the case. The probe will determine if Ramachandra Rao, who serves as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Corporation, misused his position to facilitate Ranya Rao’s alleged smuggling activities.

Key Developments in the Case:

  • The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Tarun Raju, the grandson of Bengaluru’s Atria Hotel owner, in connection with the smuggling network.

  • Authorities allege that Ranya Rao used Ramachandra Rao’s influence to bypass security protocols at the airport.

  • The actor was apprehended on March 3 at Bengaluru airport while carrying 14.8 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore.

  • She was initially remanded to DRI custody until March 10. After three days of interrogation, she appeared before the Economic Offenses Court, where she accused officials of mental harassment.

  • During the hearing, Ranya Rao claimed that DRI officers verbally abused and pressured her into signing documents. She denied being physically tortured, stating that viral images showing her with swollen eyes were due to emotional distress.

  • A special court in Bengaluru has now placed her in judicial custody for 14 days.

  • Her bail plea is set to be heard today.

Political Repercussions

The case has taken a political turn, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing a Karnataka minister of being linked to the gold smuggling racket. BJP leader Vijayendra Yediyurappa took to social media, alleging that the Congress government is embroiled in yet another scandal.

In response, Congress countered with claims that the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board, under the previous BJP government, had facilitated land allocation for Ranya Rao in 2023 to establish a steel plant.

With the investigation ongoing, the case continues to stir controversy, drawing attention to the intersection of crime, politics, and law enforcement in Karnataka.

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