Actor Imran Khan’s legal battle over the order asking him to leave India has reached a crucial stage, with the October 28 deadline approaching. The actor has challenged the notice issued against him after his alleged participation in protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar earlier this month.
The Centre has now assured the Bombay High Court that no coercive action will be taken against Khan until November 2, the next date of hearing in the matter.
The development comes after the court took up Khan’s plea challenging the Leave India Notice (LIN) issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The notice directs him to leave the country by October 28, 2026.
Why Has Imran Khan Challenged The Leave India Notice?
Khan, a US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, was detained by Mumbai Police earlier this month following protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The actor has denied actively participating in the demonstration. According to his petition, no protest was underway when he arrived at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai.
Khan has also alleged that the police detained him and his family members without justification, drove them around the city for nearly an hour and took them to Yellow Gate police station before releasing them. His legal team, comprising advocates Zulfikar Memon, Parvez Memon and Chirag Naik, has challenged the manner in which the FRRO issued the notice.
In his petition, Khan alleged that the authorities acted in haste, issuing the notice within five days of complaints by political leaders without independently verifying the claims against him. He has argued that the notice does not identify any specific violation of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, or the Citizenship Act, 1955. He has also claimed that the authorities issued it without conducting an inquiry, serving a show-cause notice or giving him an opportunity to explain his position.
What Is Imran Khan Seeking From The Court?
Khan has argued that the authorities failed to consider his OCI status, his lifelong ties to India and the fact that he has no criminal antecedents. Describing the notice as arbitrary and disproportionate, he has asked the court to protect him from its implementation while the case is pending and ultimately quash the order.
The petition challenges the LIN dated October 14, 2026, which directs Khan to leave India on or before October 28. According to his legal team, he has been living in India since the age of two. Khan’s lawyers have also questioned the timing of the notice, arguing that the FRRO issued it before seeking his explanation. They contend that the request for an explanation came only after he approached the High Court, making the notice premature and legally flawed.
How Did The Case Reach The Bombay High Court?
The matter was brought before the court on October 19, when Khan sought an urgent hearing. The plea was subsequently listed for October 26. On Monday, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna took up the case. The bench was initially informed that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta would appear in the matter, following which the hearing was kept for the afternoon session.
Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond, appearing for Khan, later sought an adjournment. The latest assurance from the Centre means that no coercive action will be taken against the actor until November 2, when the matter is scheduled to come up again.
What Happens If Imran Khan Does Not Leave India?
The FRRO issued the notice following complaints over Khan’s alleged participation in the anti-CEC protests. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had approached Mumbai Police, pointing out that Khan was a US citizen and not an Indian citizen, and seeking action over the alleged violation of the law.
Mumbai Police subsequently informed the FRRO, which issued the Leave India Notice. The notice cited Khan’s alleged conduct as a violation of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and warned that failure to comply could lead to prosecution under the law.
Khan has challenged the notice in court, seeking to have it set aside. The court could ultimately quash the notice, suspend its implementation while the case continues, or seek further information before deciding the matter.
Source:- News18
