Imran Khan to challenge order to leave India over election protest
Bollywood actor Imran Khan is preparing to challenge an order requiring him to leave India by October 28 after he attended a protest in Mumbai demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Khan, the nephew of actor Aamir Khan and an American national, lives in India on an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) delivered the notice at his residence in Mumbai’s Khar neighbourhood, according to a police officer.
A petition describing the notice as “drastic” is expected to be filed in the Bombay High Court as early as Friday. The petition argues that neither Indian law nor OCI regulations prohibit cardholders from participating in protests. Lawyers Zulfiquar Memon, Parvez Memon and Chirag Naik of MZM Legal LLP are handling the case.
The actor was among more than 400 people detained by police across Mumbai on 10 October during demonstrations supporting a protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi. The demonstrations centred on allegations of voter list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
Police said the Mumbai gathering had not received permission and that Azad Maidan was the only venue where the Bombay High Court permits protests in the city.
Speaking to reporters before his detention, Khan said: “I am here as a citizen, as someone who lives in this city.”
His girlfriend, actor Lekha Washington, and cousin Zayn Marie Khan were also detained. While inside a police van, Khan posted a selfie on Instagram with the caption, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.” He had also participated in CJP demonstrations in July.
Gamdevi police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) naming Khan among the accused. Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kirit Somaiya had lodged a complaint at the same police station, alleging that Khan’s participation in the protest violated the conditions of his OCI status and visa. Police subsequently forwarded the complaint to the FRRO.
Somaiya has called for Khan’s arrest and deportation, accusing him of “political extremism”. On October 13, he separately wrote to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan requesting a Look Out Circular to flag any attempt by the actor to leave India.
No OCI rule specifically addresses whether cardholders can participate in protests. Revocation of OCI status is also a separate process from issuing a notice requiring someone to leave India.
The Union Home Ministry has previously revoked the OCI status of Kannada film actor Chetan A Kumar, an American citizen, over what it described as “anti-India activities”.
Khan stepped away from acting after appearing in films including Delhi Belly, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and I Hate Luv Storys. He made his leading-role debut in the 2008 film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, produced by Aamir Khan.
He later directed the 2018 documentary short Mission Mars: Keep Walking India. Khan is expected to return to acting in Adhure Hum Adhure Tum.