London-based doctor detained at Mumbai airport over social media post trageting BJP
Mumbai: London-based doctor and popular YouTuber Sangram Patil was detained at Mumbai International Airport on Saturday morning over a social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, a police official said.
He was questioned for several hours by crime branch officials before being released, after serving him a notice under section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the official added.
“They were detained by immigration authorities on the basis of a Look Out Circular issued against him on the basis of the FIR,” said a police officer, as reported by the Hindustan Times.
The section mandates that the police may issue a notice of appearance to an accused in certain cases where the prescribed jail term is short, instead of arresting them.
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According to a recent PTI report, “Dr Patil was detained upon his arrival from London. He and his wife were questioned and subsequently released after preliminary investigation,” the official said.
The action is in connection with a case filed last month at the N M Joshi Marg police station on the complaint of BJP media cell functionary Nikhil Bhamre. Patil is originally from Maharashtra but is currently a British citizen.
The BJP functionary has alleged that Patil spread false information about the ruling party and made derogatory remarks against its leaders.
After his release, Patil told the media it was no secret that he was active on social media and was a critic of the BJP-led government. “They have clubbed some posts and have named me as an accused. I will discuss this with my legal team and decide a further course of action,” said Patil, according to The Daily.
The complaint alleged that objectionable content was posted from two Facebook accounts, one of which belonged to Patil, the official said, reports PTI.
The complaint said that such content could incite hostility and animosity among different sections of society. Police said investigations into the matter have been ongoing since the registration of the case.
Opposition leaders took to the social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter) to condemn the detention of Dr Sangram Patil.
Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat condemned Patil's detention and said, “Arresting someone who asks questions is cowardice on the part of the BJP government."
“It is not a crime to take a stand against the government. But how can one expect that from a government drunk on power,” senior NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad said.
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