Bollywood actor Imran Khan has reportedly been directed to leave India by October 28 following his participation in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10.
The notice was issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of Mumbai Police under provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, according to media reports. Police sources said action was initiated because Khan is not an Indian citizen and allegedly participated in a protest held without the required permissions.
However, The Telegraph Online reported that it had not independently confirmed Khan’s citizenship status.
The protest was organised by the satirical political group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and called for Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Khan, nephew of actor Aamir Khan, attended the demonstration alongside his partner, actor Lekha Washington, and his cousin Zayne Marie Khan. All three were detained by Mumbai Police and later released.
BJP Leader Kirit Somaiya Files Complaint
The police action followed complaints from citizens and political figures, including BJP leader Kirit Somaiya.
Somaiya alleged that Khan holds US citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card rather than full Indian citizenship. He called for action over Khan’s participation in what he described as an illegal political protest and alleged violations of OCI rules and visa conditions.
Mumbai Police have registered a case relating to the alleged unlawful assembly. Police are also examining video footage to identify other participants who may face further action.
The police detained around 400 people during the October 10 demonstration, including activists associated with the Hum Bharat Ke Log organisation, led by Tushar Gandhi, according to reports.
Imran Khan Shares Account of Detention
Following his detention, Khan shared a photograph of himself inside a police van on Instagram with the caption, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
In a video recorded around the time of the protest, the actor said he did not understand why he had been detained. He alleged that police picked up protesters from the streets and made them sit in vans before driving them around for approximately two hours.
Before his detention, Khan told ANI that he had joined the protest as someone who lived in Mumbai and wanted to understand why people’s freedom of movement was being restricted.
“I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted, why people’s voices are being suppressed,” he said, adding that he was not representing any organisation.
Khan’s participation drew attention on social media, where several users praised his presence at the demonstration.
The protest was held amid criticism of the Election Commission’s SIR exercise, which has prompted concerns about voter deletions and electoral eligibility. Protesters demanded Kumar’s resignation over the alleged discrepancies.
