Imran Khan Pal challenges FRRO’s October 28 exit order in HC

Actor Imran Khan Pal moved the Bombay High Court on October 17 to challenge a Mumbai Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) notice directing him to leave India by October 28, The Economic Times reported. Filed through MZM Legal, his petition seeks to quash the October 14 directive and urgently halt its enforcement.

Khan alleges that the authority neither explained the specific legal violation behind the order nor gave him a hearing before issuing it. The matter is expected to be mentioned before the High Court on Monday, October 19; the report does not indicate that any judicial relief has been granted.

Petition questions grounds and procedure

In the case titled Imran Khan Pal v. Union of India & Ors, the actor argues that the departure directive breaches natural justice and the protections under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. Those provisions concern equality before the law and protection of life and personal liberty; his petition argues that they also protect foreign nationals in India.

According to the plea, the notice does not identify the statutory provisions he allegedly breached or disclose the material supporting the decision, including any underlying order, data or security report. These are Khan’s allegations about the notice, not findings by the court.

Khan, described in the report as around 44, says he has lived in India since the age of two and holds an Overseas Citizen of India card. He contends that the authorities did not adequately consider his circumstances or his rights as an OCI cardholder. He also states that he has no criminal antecedents.

Protest preceded immigration action

The FRRO, which operates under the Bureau of Immigration, invoked the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, when issuing the departure notice. The action followed within four days of a Mumbai protest against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls that Khan had attended.

His petition denies any organisational affiliation or connection with the bodies involved in organising or participating in the demonstration against the incumbent Chief Election Commissioner. That denial is distinct from the reported account of his attendance.

Khan alleges that the departure order is punitive and disproportionate, and suggests it was intended to suppress perceived dissent. The timing of the notice alone does not establish that allegation. The report does not set out the FRRO’s detailed grounds or its response to his claims.

Fresh show-cause notice issued

On October 17, the same day Khan electronically filed his petition, the FRRO issued a separate show-cause notice asking why action should not be initiated against him under laws governing foreigners and OCI cardholders.

The reported court challenge concerns the October 14 departure notice. Khan is seeking both its cancellation and urgent protection against enforcement ahead of the October 28 deadline.