WorldTrending
Mumbai Police and the FRRO have issued a notice to actor Imran Khan to leave India by October 28. The order follows his participation in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Actor Imran Khan has been ordered to leave India by October 28, according to reports from Mumbai Police and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The directive was issued under the Immigration Act and the Foreigners Act, citing Khan's status as a non-Indian citizen.
The FRRO served the notice to Khan, alleging that he violated the Foreigners Act by participating in a demonstration at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10. The protest demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
According to The Times of India, Mumbai Police stated that action was taken "under the relevant provision of the law because he participated in the protest despite not being an Indian citizen." The Indian Express reported that a complaint was filed at Gamdevi police station by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, alleging that Khan, a United States citizen, breached the Act. The complaint was subsequently forwarded to the FRRO department.
An officer, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Indian Express, stated: "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."
Police briefly detained Khan during the protest at August Kranti Maidan. Following his detention, the actor, known for his role in Delhi Belly, shared a picture on social media showing him sitting inside a police van.
The Indian Express noted that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, who are foreign nationals of Indian origin, hold a lifelong visa but cannot vote or contest elections. While OCI rules do not expressly require prior permission to attend a public protest, Article 19’s guarantees of free speech and peaceful assembly apply only to citizens. Under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, the government can cancel OCI registration on specified grounds, including sovereignty and security.
The protest in Mumbai coincided with a planned demonstration by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the same date. The Times of India reported that a Centre's crackdown in the national capital largely curtailed the planned protest in Delhi. Security personnel deployment reached 35,000, internet services were suspended, and metro services were disrupted in parts of New Delhi. The crackdown led to over 7,000 detentions in the national capital, including opposition leaders such as Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, and Pinarayi Vijayan.
This incident highlights the legal distinctions between citizens and non-citizens regarding political participation in India. While OCI cardholders enjoy long-term residency rights, their participation in political protests can trigger legal action under the Foreigners Act, as seen in the case of Imran Khan. The order to leave the country underscores the government's enforcement of immigration laws in response to political activism by foreign nationals.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a military camp in southern Yemen with ballistic missiles, killing at least 53 recruits and wounding 200 others, according to local authorities.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a Yemeni government military camp in Shabwa province with ballistic missiles, killing at least 53 soldiers and wounding 200 recruits.