Actor Imran Khan Asked to Leave India by October 28

Synopsis

Bollywood actor Imran Khan, a US citizen, was detained at a protest against the chief election commissioner in Mumbai on October 10, 2026. Days later, a notice was sent to him, asking him to leave India by October 28, under a law that lets the government tell any foreigner that they “shall not remain in India”, an order his lawyer plans on challenging in the Bombay High Court.

Detained at August Kranti Maidan

On 10th October, Khan joined the Mumbai protest backing the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a Gen-Z led movement, now seeking the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, the CEC, over alleged vote fraud. He attended the protest with his partner, Lekha Washington, and his cousin Zayn Marie Khan. All three were detained and later released. Police said that the permit for the protest wasn’t approved. Khan also added that he came as a citizen and not as a representative of any organisation.

The Complaint and the Notice

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya filed a complaint accusing Khan, a US citizen, of breaching the law by simply joining the protest. He also added that the actor conspired to spread anarchy. The Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) then served the actor with a notice, ordering him to leave the country by October 28. According to the Mumbai police, he played a part inciting the agitation despite not being an Indian citizen.

The Law Behind the Notice

It was said that the notice directed to Khan, invoked sections 7 and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Section 7 states the centre can regulate or restrict foreigners’ presence and movement. Section 29, which matters for the October 28 deadline, allows the government, by a general or a special order, to direct a foreigner’s removal for breaching the Act or any rule made under it.

Whether either section applies on Khan is a question that is yet to be answered because of his OCI card. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card is a scheme introduced in 2005 where people of Indian origin with foreign citizenship get certain gains like multiple-entry visa, benefits in education, property and profession, which is how the actor works and resides in India.

It is mentioned under the OCI regulations that a cardholder isn’t allowed to vote or contest for Indian elections. But there’s no provision that prohibits a foreign citizen from joining a protest, and this is the argument on which khan’s lawyers hinge.

Court challenges and reactions

Khan’s lawyers from MZM Legal LLP say no provision prohibits OCI cardholders from protesting. His petition, as per the Press Trust of India, calls the notice ‘drastic’. The petition is expected to be filed by Friday, October 16 or Monday, October 19.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also spoke up in Khan’s defence and urged Bollywood to speak up too. He also questioned why US singer Mary Millben can comment for the BJP while an OCI card holder cannot. CJP has also called for another protest for Friday evening, October 16, in Delhi.

Wider protest context

Khan’s case unfolds during a crucial wave of a growing movement. Over the weekend, thousands marched in Delhi, Mumbai and other cities demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, ahead of state elections. On Monday, October 12, leaders of several opposition parties, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, led thousands in a march.

Then on Wednesday, October 14, two top CJP leaders were sent to jail after being arrested for alleged trespassing at a protest site in Delhi. Khan’s case is one of the several political and legal developments happening under the same movement, drawing attention from beyond the film industry.