Actor Imran Khan has approached the Bombay High Court to contest a notice issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), which mandates his departure from India by October 28. Khan contends that the notice lacks clarity regarding the alleged immigration violation and fails to acknowledge his status as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder.

The notice was issued following his involvement in a protest on October 10 at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan, where demonstrators called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In his petition, Khan is seeking an urgent stay on the notice, as well as its cancellation.

He has requested that the court compel the FRRO to disclose the records that informed its decision. The petition has been filed through MZM Legal LLP, represented by advocates Zulfiquar Memon, Parvez Memon, and Chirag Naik, and is set to be mentioned for an urgent hearing on Monday.

Details of Alleged Violations Lacking

The FRRO notice characterises Khan as a US national and alleges breaches of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, along with related rules and orders. It instructs him to leave India by the specified date and warns of potential prosecution should he fail to comply.

Khan’s legal team argues that the notice does not specify which provisions he allegedly violated, nor does it clarify how or when these violations occurred. The petition further asserts that the FRRO has treated Khan solely as a US national, neglecting his rights as an OCI cardholder. It claims that the notice was issued without a prior inquiry, a show-cause notice, or an opportunity for Khan to present his case.

The petition highlights that he was given a mere 14 days to leave the country. Khan’s legal representatives have described the FRRO’s actions as a failure to apply due diligence in considering his residency rights, which they argue should have been taken into account before issuing such a directive.

Protest Participation and Police Detention

Khan has also challenged the rationale behind the actions taken against him for his participation in the protest. His petition argues that the location was not designated as a restricted area and that OCI cardholders are permitted to take part in protests. He contends that video footage from the event would demonstrate that he did not breach any barricades and was leaving the venue when he was surrounded by media personnel, shortly before being detained by police along with his family members.

The actor attended the demonstration alongside his partner, actor Lekha Washington, and his cousin, Zayn Marie Khan. All three were reportedly detained during the incident. Khan’s petition describes the order for him to leave India as excessive, asserting that it seeks to displace a lifelong resident over unproven allegations involving bailable offences, for which no formal charges have been filed.

Former BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had previously lodged a complaint, alleging that Khan, as a US citizen and OCI cardholder, had violated immigration regulations by participating in the political demonstration. Somaiya called for Khan’s deportation and urged the Mumbai Police to verify his citizenship status. At the protest, Khan stated that he was present as a resident of Mumbai and did not represent any political organisation, questioning the restrictions on movement and the perceived attempts to silence dissent.

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