World · South & Central Asia · 3 hrs ago
Bombay High Court continues protection for actor Imran Khan
The Bombay High Court continued protection for actor Imran Khan against a government notice ordering him to leave India.
Khan, a US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India card holder, was named in a police case after attending an October 10 protest in Mumbai against a voter-roll revision and the chief election commissioner.
The judges said OCI card holders are not Indian citizens and questioned why Khan had joined a protest unrelated to him.
His lawyer said he had no connection to the organisers and sought protection under the right to life and liberty, which applies to non-citizens.
The central government argued that Khan had encouraged people on social media and that it could expel a foreign national.
Khan has lived in India since he was two, and his lawyer submitted an undertaking and an unconditional apology.
The court's interim relief remains in place as it considers his challenge to the notice.
The Bombay High Court continued interim protection for actor Imran Khan against a government notice ordering him to leave India.
Khan, a US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India card holder, submitted an undertaking and an unconditional apology sought by the court.
The notice followed an FIR over an October 10 protest in Mumbai against the voter-roll revision and the Chief Election Commissioner.
The court questioned Khan’s presence at the protest and said OCI card holders are not Indian citizens.
The central government argued it had the power to expel him and that he had encouraged people on social media.
- Who
- Actor Imran Khan, a US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India card holder.
- What
- The Bombay High Court continued interim protection against a government notice ordering him to leave India.
- When
- Monday, November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Bombay High Court, Mumbai, India.
- Why
- Khan challenged the Leave India Notice as arbitrary and a violation of his right to life.
Imran Khan
Central government
Presence at protest
Imran Khan
Khan’s counsel said he was passing by, had no connection to the organisers and was curious about the protest.
Central government
The government argued that Khan was part of the protest and had encouraged people on social media.
Right to remain in India
Imran Khan
Khan challenged the notice, arguing that his right to life and liberty applied to non-citizens.
Central government
The government said it had the power to expel a foreigner and that no protection should be granted.
An FIR was registered against Khan over an unlawful assembly during a protest in Mumbai.
The FRRO gave Khan two weeks to leave India.
The Bombay High Court continued interim protection after Khan submitted an undertaking and an unconditional apology.
- Citizenship
- US citizen
- Status in India
- Overseas Citizen of India card holder
- Age
- 44
- Protest date
- October 10
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Notice
- Leave India Notice from the Centre
3 sources
What people are saying
OCI card holders are not Indian citizens.
Right to protest is not even available to you as an OCI
He is part of the protest.