Four days after he participated in demonstrations outside the August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai , supporting demands for the ouster of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the America-born actor Imran Khan was asked to leave the country by October 28 by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Mumbai.
In his complaint to the police authorities and the FRRO, Somaiya sought action against Khan for participating in political activities in India despite being a foreign national. “Any foreigner in India is under certain conditions which include not participating in any illegal activities and abiding by Indian laws. If the protest was held without the requisite permission, the police may consider it illegal. In that case, he may have to offer an explanation for participating in the protest. Now, whether the police were right in doing that is up to the court to decide. In an Instagram post, Lekha Washington later claimed they went to August Kranti Maidan to inquire about some of their friends who had been detained by the police.
Khan has since said that he will challenge the FRRO’s notice. Police officials said the action was initiated following a complaint lodged by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. Legal experts, however, said authorities must cite reasons and allow him a hearing before taking action, abiding by the principles of natural justice. “Any action by the state must be backed by a solid reason or the decision would be arbitrary,” said advocate Ashwin Thool, who earlier represented India-born US national Nooriya Haveliwala in a 2010 drunken driving incident where she was convicted for mowing down two persons, including a policeman, at Marine Lines. He also said the police should give Khan a hearing in this case or seek a written reply. Thool said OCI is, in fact, like an extended visa. It’s a matter of perception whether his (Khan) action was malafide or bonafide,” said Thool. She said as they walked towards the historic ground, media persons surrounded Khan and he clarified that “we had not been associated with any organisation and we had no demands,” but before he could finish his sentence, plainclothes police personnel grabbed her and Zayn and forced them into a police vehicle.
His counsel, advocate Parvez Memon, senior partner of MZM Legal, said they are drafting a petition likely to be filed in the Bombay High Court on Friday.
“We are finalising the petition and will file it in the High Court tomorrow (Friday), also attempting to mention the case for an urgent hearing,” Memon said, adding that the notice claims he contravened the provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and the Rules and Orders made thereunder.
