Bollywood actor Imran Khan is not required to leave India by October 28. During a hearing at the Bombay High Court regarding the 'leave India' notice issued against him, the central government assured the court that no action would be taken against him for the time being. The court also stayed the implementation of the directive and scheduled the next hearing for November 2 at 3:00 PM.
The case came up today before the division bench of Bombay High Court Chief Justice Maheshchandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna. Senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, representing Khan, emphasized the urgent need for a hearing because, under the directive issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), the actor was required to leave the country by Wednesday.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the central government, requested time to prepare for the arguments and assured the court that no immediate action would be taken against Khan until the next hearing. Following this, the court adjourned the matter to November 2 and stayed the operation of the challenged order.
Background of the Departure Order: US citizen Imran Khan holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. On October 15, the Mumbai FRRO ordered him to leave India by October 28. The action reportedly stemmed from his participation in a political protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Prior to this, police detained Khan near Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan on October 10. He was accompanied by partner Lekha Washington, mother Nuzhat, and cousin Zayn Marie Khan, among others, during a demonstration concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
