Actor Imran Khan Asked To Leave India By October 28 Following Anti-CEC Protest In Mumbai
Actor Imran Khan has reportedly been directed to leave India by October 28 following his participation in a Mumbai protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
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Bollywood actor Imran Khan, the nephew of superstar Aamir Khan, has been asked to leave India by October 28. The directive comes days after the actor participated in a protest at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan on Saturday, October 10, calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. According to several reports, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and the Mumbai Police took action against the actor because he is believed to hold United States (US) citizenship and possesses an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card rather than full Indian citizenship.
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“Action has been taken against Imran Khan under the relevant provision of the Immigration Act over his participation in the protest despite not being an Indian citizen,” the Mumbai Police stated.
The official action followed a formal complaint by former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya. After Imran was detained during the Saturday morcha, Kirit Somaiya wrote to Mumbai's Joint Commissioner of Police, Manoj Kumar Sharma, seeking an inquiry and appropriate action against the actor for taking part in the agitation in support of the satirical political group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) despite being a “foreign citizen”. Kirit Somaiya questioned whether Imran Khan was legally permitted to participate in the protest or had obtained prior permission, and also posted on X stating that the actor should be deported immediately.
Following the complaint, authorities initiated the official process. “A complaint was filed at Gamdevi police station stating that Khan had breached the Foreigners Act. The complaint was forwarded to FRRO department,” the police said.
Subsequently, the FRRO served the notice to the Bollywood actor. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an officer explained, “The FRRO notice states that he is a resident of the USA and he has violated the act and has been asked to leave the country by October 28.”
What Happened At August Kranti Maidan Protest?
On October 10, Imran Khan gathered at August Kranti Maidan alongside his partner Lekha Washington, and his cousin, Zayne Marie Khan, to join the demonstration called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Overall, the Mumbai Police detained around 400 people during the CJP protest, including activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and members belonging to the Tushar Gandhi-led 'Hum Bharat Ke Log' organisation. Imran, Lekha, and Zayne Marie were among those detained and released later.
During the demonstration, Imran Khan clarified that he was not affiliated with any organisation and had stepped out in his individual capacity as a resident of Mumbai.
“I don't have demands. I am here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted. Why are people's voices being suppressed? That is why I am here,” the actor said.
Emphasising his stance, Imran added, “I don't have any right to demand anything from people. I am not a part of any organisation. I will stand as a representative.”
As the police detained the demonstrators, a video surfaced showing Imran responding to a reporter's query while being forced into a police vehicle. “I have no demands. I am not part of any organisation,” he reiterated, while also asking the police, “What have I done? Why am I being manhandled?”
Another clip from the incident went viral in which the actor was heard saying "Jai Hind" to the police. While inside the police vehicle, Imran posted a picture of himself on social media with the caption, “Apparently, I am going for a drive.”
In another video clip, the actor shared details of his detention, saying, “I honestly don't know why I have been brought here. They picked all of us from the streets and asked us to sit in the vans.” He noted that he and the others who were detained were driven around in the police van for approximately two hours before being released.
What Do The OCI Rules Say?
Introduced in 2005, the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme grants eligible foreign nationals a lifelong, multiple-entry visa to live and work in India, subject to applicable conditions. However, OCI status does not amount to Indian citizenship. Cardholders cannot vote or contest elections and remain subject to the country's immigration laws.
While the OCI rules do not explicitly list prior permission as a general requirement for attending public protests, Article 19 of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and peaceful assembly specifically to Indian citizens. This does not automatically make participation in a peaceful demonstration by a foreign national a punishable offence.
Under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, OCI registration can be cancelled on specified grounds, including concerns relating to national security, sovereignty and integrity. However, the law requires that cardholders be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard before cancellation. Separately, the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, empowers authorities to regulate the stay and removal of foreign nationals under specified circumstances. A complaint or alleged violation alone does not establish wrongdoing, and cancellation of OCI registration and an order to leave India are distinct legal actions. In Imran Khan's case, the precise legal grounds cited in the notice remain unclear.
