Mumbai: Bollywood actor Imran Khan is set to approach the Bombay High Court to challenge a notice issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating immigration regulations.
Khan’s lawyers are expected to seek an urgent hearing once the petition is filed. The matter is likely to come before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna, Bar & Bench reports.
Advocates Zulfiquar Memon, Parvez Memon and Chirag Naik of MZM Legal LLP are representing the actor.
The action against Khan follows his detention on October 10 during a demonstration at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Following the protest, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya filed a complaint at the Gamdevi police station, alleging that Khan, a US citizen, had violated the Foreigners Act by participating in a political demonstration.
The Gamdevi police forwarded Somaiya’s complaint to the FRRO for further action. Acting on the complaint, the immigration authority issued a notice directing Khan to leave the country.
According to reports, the FRRO cited Khan’s US citizenship and his participation in the protest as grounds for action, treating his involvement in the demonstration as a violation of immigration and foreigners regulations.
The notice requires Khan to leave India on or before October 28.
Khan holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. Introduced in 2005, the OCI scheme allows eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin to visit and reside in India on a lifelong visa. However, OCI status does not grant Indian citizenship or political rights, including the right to vote or contest elections.
Under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, the Central Government has the power to direct a foreign national to “not remain in India or in any specified area therein”.
