Politics · India Bureau
Actor Imran Khan challenges deportation notice in Bombay High Court
US citizen and Bollywood actor Imran Khan has moved the Bombay High Court against a police directive ordering him to leave India by October 28 following his participation in a political demonstration. The actor faces concurrent action from immigration authorities over his Overseas Citizen of India status.
LSN India ·
The 43-year-old actor, who holds US citizenship, filed the petition on Saturday challenging what his legal team termed an 'illegal, arbitrary, perverse and drastic' notice issued by Mumbai Police. Khan had participated in a recent public demonstration in the city related to demands for the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, triggering official action against him.
According to his lawyer Zulfiquar Memon, Khan received a show-cause notice from the Foreigners Registration Office (FRRO) questioning why his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status should not be cancelled. The actor's legal counsel argued that the FRRO notice should have been issued prior to the Mumbai Police serving the departure directive.
The petition, filed through advocate Memon and MZM Legal, contends that the police notice was issued abruptly and without proper procedure. Khan's legal team has sought relief from the High Court against the October 28 deadline, challenging the constitutional validity of the deportation order.
The case marks a significant intersection of citizenship law, immigration policy, and political expression in India, with the actor's legal team asserting that participation in lawful democratic protest cannot constitute grounds for forced departure from the country.