British Doctor Detained at Mumbai Airport
Dr. Sangram Patil, a London-based British national of Indian origin, was detained for over 15 hours at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The detention occurred upon his arrival with his wife and was linked to social media posts critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The incident has ignited a debate regarding free speech and political dissent in India.
Grounds for Detention and Legal Proceedings
Dr. Patil's detention was initiated based on a Look Out Notice (LOC), an immigration alert issued at the request of the police. This LOC stemmed from a complaint filed in December by a BJP member, Nikhil Bhamre, who alleged that Dr. Patil had made 'defamatory and misleading posts' about the party and its leaders. The complaint further claimed that these online posts could 'create feelings of enmity and hatred between groups'. A case had been registered against Dr. Patil by the cybercrime department under the Information Technology Act. Following his prolonged questioning by crime branch officials, Dr. Patil was released after being served a notice under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, directing him to cooperate with an investigation at a later date. He was not formally charged or arrested.
Dr. Patil's Stance and Online Presence
A medical professional and a prominent content creator, Dr. Patil maintains a significant online presence, including a YouTube channel with over 400,000 subscribers and a Facebook page with more than 100,000 followers. His content frequently features political commentary, often critical of the Narendra Modi government. Speaking about his detention, Dr. Patil stated that he was 'unaware' of the lookout circular and asserted that 'questioning is part of my social media activity. It's my democratic right.' He clarified that his intention was to 'raise questions not against the government, but against supporters of PM Modi' and to seek clarity on narratives circulating globally about the Prime Minister.
Reactions and Concerns Over Free Speech
The detention of Dr. Patil drew swift condemnation from opposition parties in India. Leaders from the Congress and the NCP (SP) criticized the action, with Congress' Maharashtra chief Harshwardhan Sapkal questioning 'if democracy was still alive' in India. Opposition figures described the incident as 'politically motivated' and a 'crackdown on dissent', raising significant concerns about the state of free speech and democratic values in the country. The British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai has reportedly contacted Dr. Patil to obtain a detailed account of the incident.
6 Comments
Africa
He's a foreign national, but if he's inciting trouble in India, he should be questioned.
Bella Ciao
If you break the law, even online, you face consequences. No one is above the law.
Comandante
This is an outrageous attack on free speech and democracy!
ZmeeLove
He was spreading misinformation and hate. Good job by the authorities!
Coccinella
Fifteen hours of detention for tweets? That's harassment, not justice.
lettlelenok
While it's important to address potential hate speech or misinformation online, the method of detention and the political complaint are alarming. This case highlights the delicate balance between national security and individual liberty in the digital age.