Actor Imran Khan Told to Leave India by October 28 After Protest

Indian authorities have told Bollywood actor Imran Khan to leave the country by October 28. The order follows his part in a protest in Mumbai on October 10 that demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, local media reported on Thursday. Reuters reported the notice on October 15, citing the Indian Express and the Times of India.

Khan, 43, is a United States citizen, the Indian Express reported. He holds an Overseas Citizen of India card. Under Indian law, taking part in political protests can be treated as a breach of immigration and visa rules for a foreign national. Filmfare and IANS both reported the same deadline and the same legal basis on October 15.

How the case moved

The protest took place at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai on October 10. Demonstrators opposed the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls. Critics and opposition parties say the revision favours Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, a charge at the centre of the wider election dispute covered on this site. Khan was detained on the day of the protest with his partner, actor Lekha Washington, and his cousin Zayn Marie Khan, Filmfare reported.

A complaint was filed at a Mumbai police station. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office then sent the leave notice, the Indian Express said. IANS reported action under Sections 7 and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. Mumbai Police confirmed a Leave India Notice had been issued, Filmfare reported.

BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya pushed the case in public. He wrote to police questioning whether Khan could legally join the demonstration and, on October 13, he asked the Home Ministry for a Look Out Circular against the actor, IANS reported. That request asked officials to stop Khan leaving until an inquiry was complete, the opposite direction from the leave order that followed.

Why it matters

Khan is the nephew of star Aamir Khan and is known for films such as Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Delhi Belly. He told reporters at the protest that he attended as a Mumbai resident and not for any party, Filmfare reported. He had not issued a public response to the notice by Thursday, both Filmfare and Reuters reported.

The case tests a hard line in Indian immigration law. An OCI card gives a foreign citizen of Indian origin long term residence rights. It does not give Indian citizenship, and it does not protect political activity. A peaceful protest by a resident actor has now become an immigration case with a departure deadline.

What happens next

The deadline is October 28. What to watch is whether Khan challenges the notice in court, seeks a stay, or leaves and fights the order from outside India. No court filing had been reported by Thursday evening.