Indian-Origin Doctor Detained at Mumbai Airport Over Social Media Posts

Detention of Doctor Sparks Controversy

Dr. Sangram Patil, a London-based physician of Indian descent, was apprehended at Mumbai airport on Saturday due to his allegedly offensive social media remarks regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leaders, as reported by a local news outlet.

After being detained, Patil was permitted to leave following the issuance of a notice under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, requiring him to participate in an upcoming investigation.

A BJP member had lodged a complaint in December, accusing Patil of intentionally posting defamatory and misleading content about the party and its officials, according to another news source.

The complainant claimed that Patil's online statements could incite animosity and division among different groups.

The cybercrime division had filed a case against Patil under the Information Technology Act, leading to a lookout notice being issued for him.

This lookout circular is a tool used by law enforcement to determine if an individual entering or exiting the country is sought by the authorities.

Patil boasts a substantial online presence, with over 400,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel and more than 56 million views. His Facebook page has over 100,000 followers, and his content often includes political commentary critical of the Modi administration.

In response to Patil's detention, Harshwardhan Sapkal, the Maharashtra chief of the Congress party, questioned the state of democracy in India.

Sapkal criticized the handling of Patil's case, stating that the condemnation of his detention was insufficient and labeled it an international embarrassment for the nation. He urged the Mumbai Police and the home ministry to provide immediate clarification regarding the reasons for Patil's detention.