News Desk: The Bombay High Court on Monday allowed actor Imran Khan, a US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, to continue staying in India after he agreed to tender an unconditional apology over his alleged participation in a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The court also asked the actor to submit an undertaking promising that he would not participate in any future protests or political agitations. The matter will be heard again on December 7, while the Leave India Notice issued against him has been kept in abeyance until then.
The case dates back to October 10, when Mumbai Police briefly detained Khan during a youth-led protest near August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai. The demonstrators were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.
Following the incident, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya filed a police complaint alleging that Khan had violated immigration rules by participating in a political demonstration as a foreign national.
Acting on the complaint and a police FIR, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued a Leave India Notice on October 14, directing the actor to leave the country by October 28 under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Khan subsequently approached the Bombay High Court on October 17, challenging the notice. In his petition, he described the action as arbitrary, unconstitutional and disproportionate. He argued that he had neither organised nor participated in the protest and was merely present near the location before leaving when asked by the police.
The actor also pointed out that he had lived in India for nearly four decades and held an OCI card that allowed him lifelong visa-free travel and residence in the country.
During Monday's hearing, the High Court observed that OCI cardholders do not enjoy the same rights as Indian citizens and remain subject to the country's immigration laws. The court also emphasised that their permission to stay in India comes with certain conditions.
Meanwhile, the FRRO has issued a separate show-cause notice asking why Khan's OCI registration should not be cancelled under Section 7D(e) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The provision allows the government to cancel OCI registration on specified grounds, including public interest.
With the Leave India Notice temporarily kept in abeyance, the actor can continue staying in India until the next hearing, subject to the court's directions.
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