The Foreigners Regional Registration Office has ordered US national and actor Imran Khan to leave India by October 28, citing an alleged violation of the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025 after his presence at a protest in Mumbai. Khan’s legal team plans to challenge the order before the Bombay High Court.
The Leave India Notice was issued by the FRRO on Wednesday and invokes Section 7(2)(c) read with Section 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025. The law replaced the Foreigners Act of 1946 and permits the government to direct a foreign national to depart India for violating provisions governing foreigners or on the basis of an adverse report by an authority.
Khan was briefly detained during a protest held at August Kranti Maidan last Saturday. The demonstration was called by a group led by Tushar Gandhi in support of the Cockroach Janta Party’s anti-CEC protest in Delhi. Mumbai police had registered a case against protesters, including Khan, for allegedly participating in an illegal assembly because permission had not been granted for the demonstration.
Khan declined to comment on the FRRO order. His advocate, Parvez Memon, said the actor would approach the Bombay High Court on Friday to challenge the government’s decision. Memon also said the defence would seek CCTV footage from the area to establish Khan’s movements and determine whether he actively participated in the protest.
The legal team has contended that Khan was passing through Nana Chowk when the road was barricaded and media representatives approached him. It disputes the allegation that he participated in the demonstration in the manner claimed by the complainant. These claims will have to be tested against the evidence and the police record.
Speaking to the media shortly before he was detained, Khan said he was present “as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city” and wanted to understand why freedom of movement was being restricted and people’s voices were being repressed. The statement is among the material the defence may rely on while challenging the government’s action.
Minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam defended the FRRO’s decision. He said that entry into India was governed by visa conditions and that violations could attract action under the applicable law. Tushar Gandhi, who had called for the August Kranti Maidan protest, condemned the FRRO action.
Legal experts cited in the report said Khan would not be able to return to India unless the FRRO revoked the order or it was stayed or set aside by a court. The Bombay High Court challenge is therefore expected to determine whether the order remains in force while the allegations surrounding Khan’s presence at the protest are examined.
