Bollywood actor Imran Khan, who holds United States citizenship, has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court challenging a Mumbai Police notice directing him to leave India by October 28, and is simultaneously contesting a show-cause notice from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) that questions his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status, his lawyer said on Saturday.
Legal move comes after detention at protest
The actor, 43, was briefly detained during a demonstration in Mumbai linked to calls for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, according to reporting by PTI. Following that incident, Mumbai Police invoked provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, including Sections 7(2)(C) and 29, to issue the departure direction, authorities said.
In the petition filed through advocate Zulfiquar Memon of MZM Legal, Khan contends the police order is unlawful and was issued without affording him a proper opportunity to respond. The petition describes the notice as "illegal, arbitrary, perverse and drastic," the counsel said.
"The notice issued by the Mumbai Police was illegal, arbitrary, perverse and drastic," the petition says, according to the actor's lawyer.
FRRO seeks explanation on OCI status
Separately, the FRRO issued a show-cause notice asking why Imran Khan's OCI card should not be cancelled. His lawyer argued that the FRRO notice should have been issued before the police took steps to direct his departure.
The actor's legal team maintains that an OCI cardholder is not barred by law from participating in a peaceful protest, and that Khan had no formal association with the protest organisers. The petition seeks judicial relief against what it calls arbitrary enforcement action.
- Actor: Imran Khan (US citizen)
- Age: 43
- Orders challenged: Mumbai Police 'leave India' notice (by Oct 28); FRRO show-cause on OCI status
- Legal provisions cited by authorities: Sections 7(2)(C) and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act
Context and potential consequences
The case raises several issues that lie at the intersection of criminal procedure, immigration law and civil liberties. If the Bombay High Court grants interim relief to the actor, the departure order may be stayed pending adjudication. Conversely, adverse rulings could affect his ability to remain in the country and his OCI privileges.
OCI holders occupy a distinct status under Indian law: while they enjoy many benefits, their rights are subject to immigration and public order statutes. The invocation of the Immigration and Foreigners Act to seek the removal of a foreign national or restrict their stay is not unprecedented, but its application to an OCI cardholder who participated in a protest is likely to draw legal and public scrutiny.
The matter is likely to progress through hearings in the Bombay High Court, where the petition will challenge both the procedure followed by Mumbai Police and the timing of the FRRO notice, the actor's counsel said. Further orders or directions from the court could set a precedent on how similar cases are handled in future.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authority issuing departure order | Mumbai Police |
| Authority issuing show-cause | Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) |
| Law cited by police | Immigration and Foreigners Act (Sections 7(2)(C) & 29) |
The actor, best known for his work in Hindi cinema, had been part of a public demonstration that resulted in temporary detention. The legal challenge now places the matter before the judiciary, which will examine whether due process was followed and whether the executive action can be sustained under existing statutes.
Further developments, including court dates and any interim orders, will be monitored closely given the case's implications for the rights of foreign nationals who hold OCI cards and participate in civic protest.
