"Action has been taken against Imran Khan"
Actor Imran Khan has been asked to leave India by October 28 after authorities accused him of violating the Foreigners Act by participating in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued the notice days after Khan joined a demonstration at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai on October 10.
The protest had been called by the satirical political group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Police detained the actor at the protest, following which Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya filed a complaint alleging that Khan had breached the law.
He said the actor was participating in an “illegal political agitation” and “violating OCI provisions and visa conditions”.
Police said: “A complaint was filed at Gamdevi police station stating that Imran Khan had breached the Foreigners Act.
“The complaint was forwarded to [the] FRRO department.
“Action has been taken against Imran Khan under the relevant provision of the Immigration Act over his participation in the protest despite not being an Indian citizen.”
An officer confirmed that the FRRO had issued the notice, giving Khan a deadline of October 28 to leave the country.
Imran Khan holds US citizenship and possesses an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card rather than full Indian citizenship.
The case raises questions about the rights of foreign nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders who participate in public demonstrations.
OCI status allows foreign nationals of Indian origin to live and travel in India under a lifelong visa arrangement. However, it does not confer Indian citizenship or the right to vote or contest elections.
Introduced in 2005, the OCI scheme remains subject to India’s laws governing foreigners and immigration.
Under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, the government can cancel an individual’s OCI registration on specified grounds, including those relating to sovereignty and security.
OCI rules do not expressly require cardholders to obtain prior permission to attend a public protest.
However, the constitutional guarantees of free speech and peaceful assembly under Article 19 apply to Indian citizens.
A complaint or an alleged visa violation does not, by itself, establish an offence or automatically justify deportation. The circumstances surrounding Khan’s case and the legal basis for the notice will determine the next steps.
