OCI Card Cancellation: Kirit Somaiya Urges Home Ministry to Act Against Imran Khan
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has urged the Home Ministry and FRRO to cancel actor Imran Khan's OCI card following a political protest in Mumbai.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has intensified his legal offensive against US national and actor Imran Khan, writing to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and the Home Ministry to demand the cancellation of Khan's Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. The move comes after the actor's alleged participation in a political protest in Mumbai, which Somaiya claims violates the terms of his residency status.
The Spark: Protest at August Kranti Maidan
The controversy stems from an event held on October 10, 2026, at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai. According to Somaiya, Imran Khan Pal, a US citizen holding an OCI card, took part in an agitation organized by the group Hum Bharat Ke Log. The protest was reportedly in support of the Chief Justice of India's agitation against the Chief Election Commissioner of India.
Somaiya highlighted that the gathering had not been granted police permission. He further alleged that during the event, Khan addressed the media, asserting, "I am here as a citizen... that's why I'm here," before being detained by the Mumbai Police alongside other participants.
Legal Escalation and the 'Leave India' Notice
Following the incident, Kirit Somaiya initiated a series of complaints. On October 12, 2026, he submitted written complaints to the Commissioner of Police and the Joint Commissioner of Police in Mumbai, as well as a formal complaint at the Gamdevi Police Station, where the incident fell under jurisdiction.
These actions led to several official responses:
- An FIR was registered at the Gamdevi Police Station.
- The FRRO issued a Leave India Notice to Imran Khan on October 14, 2026.
- A show-cause notice was issued on October 17, 2026, under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
The Battle in the Bombay High Court
Imran Khan has since challenged the Leave India Notice by filing a writ petition (numbered 36271 of 2026) before the Bombay High Court. In his latest letter to Somaiya Vinayak Munde of the FRRO Mumbai, Kirit Somaiya has urged the authorities to strongly oppose this petition.
Somaiya has requested that the FRRO and the Union of India present all supporting materials and documents to the court to ensure that the legal proceedings against Khan continue unabated.
Demand for Look Out Circular (LOC)
Beyond the OCI card cancellation, Somaiya has pushed for the maintenance of a Look Out Circular (LOC) against the actor. This would ensure that authorities are immediately alerted if Khan attempts to leave the country without complying with the official notices, particularly if the High Court refuses to grant him interim relief.
The BJP leader has called for the FRRO to proceed with the investigation under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and to pass a reasoned order regarding the status of Khan's OCI card regardless of the outcome of the writ petition.
"I wrote to FRRO & Home Ministry, that OCI card of Imran Khan must be cancelled," Somaiya stated in a post on X, signaling his determination to see the actor's residency privileges revoked.