Why Modi critic NRI YouTuber Sangram Patil was detained at Mumbai airport

Dr Sangram Patil, a London-based British citizen of Indian origin and a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was detained for over 15 hours at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Saturday after immigration officials flagged a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against him. Patil had arrived in Mumbai with his wife when he was stopped and questioned by authorities.

The detention was linked to an FIR filed on December 18, 2025, at the N M Joshi Marg Police Station in Mumbai. The complaint was lodged by Nikhil Bhamre, social media coordinator of the Maharashtra unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to the FIR, Patil had allegedly posted objectionable and defamatory content on social media targeting Prime Minister Modi and other senior BJP leaders. The complaint also claimed that one of the posts contained inappropriate references to a woman and spread disinformation.

Police officials said the LOC was issued based on this FIR, prompting immigration authorities to detain Patil upon arrival. “He was detained and questioned on the basis of the Look Out Circular. After verification, he was allowed to leave after being served a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS),” a police officer said. The provision requires police to issue a notice for appearance when arrest is not considered necessary.

The FIR against Patil has been registered under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with statements allegedly containing false information that could promote enmity or hatred between communities. Police also claimed Patil has a strong social media following and has written several posts and articles critical of BJP leaders.

Reacting after his release, Patil said his detention was linked to his political views. “They have clubbed some of my posts and named me as an accused. It is no secret that I am active on social media and critical of the BJP-led government. I will consult my legal team and decide the next course of action,” he said.

The incident triggered sharp reactions from Opposition parties. Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat termed the action “cowardice,” while NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad said questioning the government was not a crime. NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar also condemned the detention, calling it an “insult to Maharashtra’s honour” and accusing the government of misusing power to silence dissent.