UK doctor detained by the Mumbai Police for 15 hours on reaching city airport, says he had only questioned PM’s public image and has been raising questions on all Indian governments in the past
Dr Sangram Patil, UK-based medical practitioner who was detained on his arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Saturday. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Dr Sangram Patil, the UK national who was detained for nearly 15 hours by the Mumbai Police after arriving in the city with his wife on January 10, opened up to mid-day about his ordeal, alleging that his freedom of speech was curtailed as he had been raising questions on social media about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public image and conduct.
The medical practitioner, who is originally from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, said he was unaware that a lookout circular — which empowers the police to take such action against foreign nationals arriving at airports — had been issued against him based on an FIR registered in December last year.
He added that his intention was never to target the government but to seek clarity on the narratives being circulated about the Prime Minister. “I raised questions not against the government, but against supporters of PM Modi. If doubts are being created about his image and character globally, then a clarification should come. That would benefit the country,” Dr Patil said.
The doctor added he had been actively questioning authorities and narratives on social media, not only from this government but also those of the erstwhile UPA government. He stated that he also took part in the anti-corruption protest spearheaded by activist Anna Hazare against the Manmohan Singh government in 2011. “I even questioned doctors during COVID. Questioning is part of my social media activity. It’s my democratic right,” he said.
According to him, he had put up a post on Facebook on December 14 that merely referred to global discussions about PM Modi and seeking an explanation from his supporters and the establishment. However, an FIR was registered on December 18, allegedly by a Modi supporter, without the doctor’s knowledge. Dr Patil added that the experience had left him mentally exhausted, and he was still recovering from the trauma of prolonged detention after an international journey.
The incident
Dr Patil, who visits India every three to four months to meet his parents and family, arrived at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with his wife late Saturday night when immigration officials stopped him.
“As soon as I reached immigration, the officers detained us, and they took us to a separate office where I was informed that an FIR had been registered against me and the police would arrive to either arrest or release me,” he recalled.
Dr Patil said he was detained at the airport for four to five hours, where an officer checked his British national passport and talked or informed to their senior offices. After five hours, several officials from the Lower Parel Crime Branch Unit 3 came, and they took them to their office. There, he was questioned for nearly nine hours before being released on notice around 5 pm on Saturday. In total, Dr Patil claims he was detained for approximately 15 hours.
Dr Patil said he later learned that a lookout circular (LOC) had been issued against him, which led to his detention. “Had I known about the FIR, I would have come prepared. My passport was taken. Officials were discussing my case with senior officials for a long time, and returned it only after receiving clearance,” he said.
Crime Branch officials reportedly told Dr Patil that the FIR was registered under allegations of promoting hatred between the two communities, which he strongly denies. “There was nothing in my post that spread hatred. I simply asked why such things were being said about the Prime Minister and why there was no clarification,” he said.
Family trauma
The detention disrupted Dr Patil’s family plans. His wife missed her connecting flight to Nagpur, where she was to visit her parents. His own parents, over 70 years old and farmers in Jalgaon, were left deeply shaken, he claimed. “They are still traumatised and worried,” he said.
Dr Patil added that he suffered a health scare during questioning and was advised medical treatment. While he declined admission to a government hospital, he was taken to a private hospital for a check-up.
Stressing that both India and the UK are democratic nations, he asserted, “Asking tough questions—even in harsh words—is my right. If every critic is booked under FIRs, what happens to free speech?” “I love India. My love for the country has not diminished. That is precisely why I will continue to ask questions.”
Diplomatic aspect
Dr Patil told mid-day that the office of the British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai, contacted him on Tuesday to seek a detailed account of the incident. Officials from the Deputy High Commission gathered comprehensive information related to the case, including the FIR, the social media post that led to the complaint, and the sequence of events surrounding Dr Patil’s detention by Mumbai Airport immigration authorities and the Mumbai Crime Branch.
The Deputy High Commission also enquired about the legal assistance available to Dr Patil and assured him of full consular support until the matter is formally closed. Officials further reassured that their team would ensure Dr Patil is treated fairly and in accordance with due process throughout the legal proceedings.
According to Dr Patil, the British Deputy High Commission has also confirmed that it will continue to follow the case closely, including his upcoming visit to the Mumbai Crime Branch, and will remain engaged until he departs for the UK.
Cop Talk
DCP Crime and Mumbai Police PRO Rajtilak Roushan told mid-day, “The person concerned has been given a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.”
Expert Speak
Asked to comment on the matter, advocate Majeed Memon said, “At this stage, I do not have access to the contents of the FIR, so it would not be appropriate for me to comment definitively. It is important to first ascertain whether the statements mentioned in the FIR actually fall within the ambit of the law. Unless it is clear what was said and how it has been recorded in the FIR, it would be premature to conclude anything.”
“However, one thing is settled in law: criticising the government is not a criminal offence. While criticism directed at the nation or a particular religion may be considered offensive, in a democracy, questioning or criticising the functioning of the government is legally permissible,” he added.
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