Actor Imran Khan is preparing to challenge the FRRO’s directive asking him to leave India by October 28, 2026. The legal move follows his participation in a protest in Mumbai over the demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Actor Imran Khan is set to contest the order directing him to leave India by approaching the Bombay High Court. His lawyer, Zulfiqar Memon, is expected to file a petition challenging the decision issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
The development follows a political protest in Mumbai in which the actor participated along with his partner, Lekha Washington, and cousin, Zayne Marie Khan. The incident has sparked debate over the rights of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and the restrictions applicable to foreign nationals participating in political demonstrations.
According to the reported information, the FRRO has asked Khan to leave the country by October 28. The proposed court challenge could bring further legal scrutiny to the circumstances surrounding the order.
Why Is Imran Khan Facing Action?
The issue began when Imran Khan attended a demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidaan. Protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Khan, who is an American citizen and an OCI cardholder, was detained during the incident and later released. His partner, Lekha Washington, and cousin, Zayne Marie Khan, were also present at the protest.
Following the demonstration, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya lodged a complaint with the police, raising objections to the actor’s participation in the protest despite his American citizenship.
The complaint was subsequently forwarded to the FRRO, which issued the order asking the actor to leave India.
What Does the FRRO Order Say?
The reported order refers to provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Section 7 of the law empowers the Central Government to regulate matters relating to the entry, departure, presence and movement of foreign nationals in India.
The FRRO’s reported position is that an OCI card does not provide unrestricted permission to participate in political activities in the country.
Khan’s decision to challenge the order means the matter could now be examined by the Bombay High Court. The legal proceedings are expected to focus on the grounds for the directive and the arguments put forward by his legal team.
No final outcome of the proposed petition has been reported in the information available for this article.
Abu Azmi Opposes the Decision
The FRRO’s action has also attracted criticism from Abu Azmi, the Maharashtra unit chief of the Samajwadi Party.
Azmi opposed the decision, arguing that Khan’s connection with India should be considered despite his American nationality. He also questioned whether such a strict response was justified over participation in a protest.
His comments have added to the political debate surrounding the case, particularly concerning freedom of expression and the position of people of Indian origin who hold foreign citizenship.
Imran Khan’s Response During the Mumbai Protest
During the demonstration, Imran Khan explained that he had attended as a person living in Mumbai who wanted to understand why freedom of movement was being restricted.
He also raised concerns about the suppression of public voices and explained that these issues had motivated him to join the gathering.
After the incident, Khan shared a photograph from inside a police van on social media with the caption, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
The post attracted attention online as details of his detention and the subsequent FRRO order emerged.
What Happens Next in the Imran Khan Case?
The next important development will be the petition challenging the FRRO’s directive before the Bombay High Court. With the reported October 28 deadline approaching, the legal proceedings could become significant for the actor’s immediate plans in India.
The court’s response and any further directions will determine how the matter progresses. Until then, the outcome of Khan’s challenge remains uncertain.
The case has also brought renewed attention to the distinction between OCI status and Indian citizenship, as well as the legal restrictions that may apply to OCI cardholders participating in political demonstrations.
This article is based on the reported details available as of October 15, 2026. Further developments may change the status of the case.
