Imran Challenges ‘Leave India’ Notice
Actor calls order arbitrary; says he was not given a prior hearing
Imran Khan has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court challenging the ‘Leave India’ notice issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The notice directs him to leave the country by October 28, 2026, following his brief detention at a political protest in Mumbai.
Represented by MZM Legal, Khan calls the order “arbitrary, perverse and wholly misconceived” on the grounds that current rules do not expressly bar OCI holders from participating in peaceful protests. He also argues that the directive lacked a prior inquiry, show-cause notice or opportunity for a hearing. Imran Khan has resided in India since the age of two, with his family and career rooted locally.
His legal team seeks an urgent stay and the quashing of the order.
The actor has now also received a second notice from the FRRO, this time asking him to show cause why his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status should not be cancelled!
The FRRO claimed no police permission was granted for the protest. Imran has been given 15 days to respond, as the law provides for a hearing before any action is taken to revoke an OCI card under the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
However, in a major relief of sorts, the FRRO itself acknowledged that FIR registration and detention by themselves are not conclusive proof of the allegations for cancellation.