Imran Khan's Exit Order: Bombay High Court Defers Plea Against 'Leave India Notice'
Actor Imran Khan challenges an FRRO order to leave India. The Bombay High Court has deferred the hearing to Tuesday.
The Bombay High Court has deferred the hearing on a petition filed by actor Imran Khan, who is challenging a "Leave India Notice" (LIN) issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Mumbai. The court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on Tuesday at 3 pm.
The legal battle centers on a notice dated October 14, 2026, which directed the actor to leave the country on or before October 28, 2026. Khan, a US national and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, has moved the court to quash this order, arguing that the procedure adopted by the FRRO was flawed.
The Core of the Dispute: A Protest and a Detention
The controversy stems from an incident on October 10 near Nana Chowk and August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai. According to the petition, the FRRO concluded that Imran Khan had participated in a protest, which became the basis for the order directing him to exit the country.
However, the actor's PR team has vehemently denied these claims. In a statement, they clarified that Khan was neither an organizer nor a participant in the protest. They stated that he had simply gone to see what was happening, but before he could reach the site, he was surrounded by media personnel and apprehended by the police.
Khan's account suggests he was returning to his vehicle when he was detained and subsequently taken to the Yellow Gate Police Station along with family members before being released. He maintains that he did not disobey police directions or enter any restricted or barricaded areas.
Legal Arguments: Lack of Due Process
In his writ petition, Imran Khan has raised several critical points regarding the legality of the notice:
- Absence of Show-Cause: The petition argues that the LIN was issued without providing a show-cause notice or any opportunity for the actor to be heard.
- Vague Allegations: Khan contends that the notice fails to specify which particular provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, he allegedly violated.
- Lack of Evidence: The petition points out that the notice does not provide details of the material or evidence the authorities relied upon to issue the direction.
The OCI Status and Ties to India
The actor has highlighted his deep-rooted connection to India to emphasize the severity of the order. Having lived in India since the age of two, Khan has held OCI status since 2006. His petition cites his education, professional career, and family ties as evidence of his longstanding association with the country.
The FIR and the FRRO's Response
The petition further links the "Leave India Notice" to an FIR registered at the Gamdevi Police Station on October 10 under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Khan argues that the notice appears to be a reaction to this FIR, despite the fact that no chargesheet has been filed and no charges have been framed against him.
Interestingly, shortly after the petition was filed, the FRRO issued a detailed show-cause notice (SCN). This new notice asks the actor to explain why his OCI registration should not be cancelled due to his presence at the gathering on October 10, where he was briefly detained by the Mumbai Police.