Imran Khan seeks Bombay High Court stay on ‘Leave India’ notice

Actor Imran Khan has approached the Bombay High Court for an urgent stay on a Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) notice directing him to leave India by October 28, India Today reported. The direction followed his detention during an October 10 demonstration at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Filed through advocates Zulfiquar Memon, Parvez Memon and Chirag Naik, the petition is due to be mentioned on Monday for an urgent hearing. Khan seeks cancellation of the notice and an order requiring the FRRO to produce the records underlying its decision. No court ruling on his request was reported.

Notice alleges immigration violations; plea disputes its basis

The notice describes Khan as a US national and alleges breaches of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, along with rules and orders issued under it. It warns that failure to depart by the deadline could lead to prosecution.

Khan’s petition argues that the notice does not identify the particular provision allegedly breached or explain when and how any violation occurred. It also contends that the FRRO considered only his US nationality, without taking account of his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status and the lifelong residency rights he says it provides.

According to the plea, authorities gave him 14 days to leave without first conducting an inquiry, issuing a show-cause notice or allowing him to present his case. These are grounds raised by Khan in his challenge, not findings by the court.

Petition contests grounds arising from the protest

The petition maintains that August Kranti Maidan was not a restricted area and argues that OCI cardholders are not barred from taking part in protests. Whether those arguments defeat the alleged immigration violations remains a matter for the court.

Khan’s plea says footage would show that he did not cross barricades and was leaving when mediapersons gathered around him. Police subsequently detained him, his partner Lekha Washington and his cousin Zayn Marie Khan, according to the account.

The petition describes the departure order as disproportionate. It argues that removing a lifelong resident over an unproven case involving bailable offences would uproot his life, and says no chargesheet has been filed.

Somaiya had called for deportation

BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya had demanded Khan’s deportation, alleging that participation in a political demonstration breached immigration rules. He also asked Mumbai Police to check the actor’s citizenship status. That allegation does not establish that an immigration violation occurred.

At the demonstration, Khan said he was attending as a Mumbai resident rather than on behalf of a political organisation. He questioned restrictions on movement and alleged efforts to silence people. After being detained, he shared a photograph from inside a police van.