Mumbai: The Bombay High Court granted relief to Imran Khan, extending its stay on the ‘Leave India’ notice issued to him over his alleged participation in a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The high court directed Imran to tender an ‘unconditional apology’, and a mere affidavit won’t do.
The 43-year-old Imran is an American citizen who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
On October 10, Imran was detained by Mumbai Police during a protest near Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan, demanding the resignation of chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Following an FIR based on a police complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, alleging that the actor had violated immigration rules by participating in a political demonstration as a foreign national, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued a Leave India Notice on October 14, directing Imran to leave the country by October 28 under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Imran challenged the notice in Bombay High Court on October 17, claiming it was arbitrary, unconstitutional and disproportionate.
During the hearing of his petition, the high court said that OCI cardholders are “at the mercy of the country” and cannot claim the same rights as Indian citizens. The court also asked the actor to submit an undertaking saying he would refrain from participating in future protests and agitations.
“If an Indian citizen had committed a similar act abroad, they would have been deported to India on the very next flight,” the high court pointed out.
“You have been residing in India for so many years, yet you never participated in any protest during all this time. Why have you chosen to participate in a protest now, after living here for so long?” the court asked Imran.
The Bombay HC has kept the notice in abeyance until December 7, when it will hear Imran’s plea next.