Mumbai: Actor Imran Khan has approached the Bombay High Court, challenging a Mumbai Police notice directing him to leave India by October 28 over his alleged participation in a political protest.
The actor, a US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, has questioned the notice, which reportedly cites a violation of rules governing his stay in the country.
According to news agency PTI, the 43-year-old actor has filed a petition through his advocate, Zulfiquar Memon, and MZM Legal, describing the notice as “illegal, perverse, drastic and bad in law”.
The plea argues that no provision under the existing law or statutory rules prohibits an OCI cardholder from participating in a peaceful protest.
The petition is likely to be mentioned for an urgent hearing before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna.
“The notice has been issued without disclosing any reasons, supporting material, or specific statutory contravention. It was issued without inquiry, a show-cause notice, or any opportunity for the Petitioner (Khan) to respond to the alleged violations,” the plea stated.
The controversy dates back to October 10, when Imran, nephew of actor Aamir Khan, participated in a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), seeking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Imran and his girlfriend, Lekha Washington, were detained by Mumbai Police during the demonstration.
Following his detention, the actor shared a photograph on social media that appeared to show him inside a police van.
