Court extends actor Imran Khan's stay in India after he apologises for protesting, LiveLaw reports

An Indian court on Monday allowed Bollywood actor Imran Khan to remain in the country until December 7 after he apologised for participating in a protest, local media reported.

Khan, 43, a US citizen, had been asked to leave India by October 28 after being accused of joining protests in Mumbai last month against the country’s election chief, in violation of immigration rules.

The Bombay High Court had put the government’s order on hold until November 2 last week. On Monday, it extended the suspension until December 7, according to local media reports.

The court said Khan had “no right to protest or participate” in demonstrations as he was a foreign national of Indian origin and was “not even remotely affected” by the revision of voter lists that has triggered protests across the country, legal website LiveLaw reported.

It sought an “unconditional apology” from Khan and directed him to submit an undertaking that he would not participate in such protests again.

Khan’s lawyer said he would provide the undertaking immediately and also promised that the actor would not encourage or instigate others to take part in such demonstrations, LiveLaw reported.

Under Indian law, foreign nationals’ participation in political protests can be treated as a violation of immigration and visa rules.

The court extended the suspension of the government order pending a decision by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), the federal agency responsible for monitoring foreign nationals in India. The agency must decide the case after hearing Khan, LiveLaw reported.

A nephew of actor Aamir Khan, Imran belongs to a prominent Bollywood family. He starred in several hit films between 2008 and 2015 before suddenly retiring from acting.