Imran Khan Gets Relief: Bombay HC Extends Stay on 'Leave India' Notice
Bombay High Court extends stay on the FRRO's notice asking actor Imran Khan to leave India over alleged protest presence.
Bollywood actor Imran Khan has secured a temporary reprieve from the Bombay High Court, which has extended the stay on a 'Leave India' notice issued to him. The court's decision ensures that the actor can continue residing in India until the next hearing, scheduled for December 7.
The Legal Battle Against FRRO
The controversy began when the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) in Mumbai issued a Leave India Notice (LIN) dated October 14, 2026. The notice directed the actor to exit the country by October 28. In response, Khan filed a writ petition challenging the legality and the procedure adopted by the FRRO.
According to a statement from the actor's legal team, Imran Khan Pal is an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder who has lived in India since he was two years old. The petition argues that the FRRO's decision to order his departure was based on his alleged presence at a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, but was issued without giving him any opportunity to be heard.
Key Arguments in the Petition
The actor's legal team has raised several critical points to challenge the deportation order:
- Lack of Due Process: The petition contends that no show-cause notice was served prior to the LIN, and the actor was not given a chance to present his case.
- Vague Allegations: It is argued that the notice failed to specify which provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, were allegedly violated.
- Deep Roots in India: Highlighting his OCI status since 2006, the petition emphasizes his lifelong association with India, including his education, professional career, and family ties.
The Incident at August Kranti Maidan
The root of the issue traces back to October 10, near Nana Chowk and August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai. The actor claims he was briefly detained by the police while returning to his vehicle after being surrounded by media personnel. He has categorically denied entering any restricted areas or disobeying police orders.
While the FRRO suggests he participated in a protest, his team maintains that he was neither an organizer nor a participant. They state he had simply gone to see what was happening when he was apprehended and taken to the Yellow Gate Police Station along with family members before being released.
FIR and Disproportionate Action
The petition further mentions an FIR registered at the Gamdevi Police Station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following the October 10 incident. Khan argues that the 'Leave India' notice appears to be a direct result of this FIR, despite the fact that no chargesheet had been filed and no charges had been framed at the time the notice was issued.
Describing the action as disproportionate, the actor's team expressed concerns over the timing of the notice and public calls for action against him, asserting that the direction to leave the country carries severe consequences for his life and career.
Following the initial petition, the FRRO did issue a detailed show-cause notice asking why his OCI registration should not be cancelled. The matter now remains sub-judice until the Bombay High Court reconvenes on December 7.