Overview
- Immigration officials stopped Dr Sangram Patil at Mumbai airport on January 19 after an active Look Out Circular was flagged, preventing his flight to the United Kingdom.
- The LOC traces to a December 18 FIR at NM Joshi Marg police station alleging derogatory and defamatory Facebook posts about BJP leaders, based on a complaint by Nikhil Bhamre.
- Mumbai Crime Branch Unit III and the Cyber Crime Department are investigating under provisions of the Information Technology Act, with officers Sharad Dharave and Milind Kathe handling the probe.
- Patil was questioned on January 10 without arrest under procedural notice and submitted written responses on January 16, stating he cooperated with investigators.
- He says he requested LOC withdrawal and was told the process had begun, yet it remained active on January 19, and Mumbai Police have not indicated when it will be lifted.