Mumbai: Actor Imran Khan has been served a “leave India” notice after joining a protest in Mumbai against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with authorities giving him until October 28 to leave the country.
The action comes days after the actor was detained at August Kranti Maidan during a demonstration seeking Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Khan, nephew of Bollywood star Aamir Khan and reportedly a US citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India card, was among more than 400 people detained during the October 10 protest at Mumbai Central. His partner Lekha Washington, mother Nusrat and niece Zayn were also detained.
Complaint Triggers Action
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Mumbai, issued the notice after BJP leader Kirit Somaiya complained that Khan had participated in a political protest despite his foreign citizenship and OCI status, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Somaiya went to the Gamdevi police station seeking the actor’s deportation and asked officials to verify his citizenship, questioning whether a foreign national should join a political agitation. The complaint was subsequently forwarded to the FRRO.
A police officer confirmed that the FRRO had taken action and served a notice on Khan, who resides in Khar. As per the notice, the actor must leave India before October 28, 2026.
Actor Denies Any Specific Demand
Khan, however, maintained that he had joined the protest without any agenda. “I don’t have demands. I am here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted. Why are people’s voices being suppressed? That is why I am here,” he said.
He further said he was not associated with any organisation. “I don’t have any right to demand anything from people. I am not a part of any organisation. I will stand as a representative,” Khan said.
In a social media post from a police van, he wrote: “Apparently, I am going for a drive.” In a video, he told a reporter: “I have no demands. I am not part of any organisation,” before asking police, “What have I done? Why am I being manhandled?”
Zayn later alleged that she was assaulted and manhandled during detention, sharing a video showing bruises she said she suffered in police custody.