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Imran Khan challenges FRRO’s leave India notice in Bombay HC, says OCI rules do not bar peaceful protests

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 18 Oct 2026 50 min ago

New Delhi: Actor Imran Khan has approached the Bombay High Court against a notice directing him to leave India by October 28, arguing that the order lacks stated reasons and does not identify any specific legal violation. The 44-year-old US national, who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, received the notice from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) after taking part in a protest in Mumbai on October 10.

Khan’s petition describes the notice as “illegal, perverse, drastic and bad in law”. It challenges the basis on which the authorities invoked the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, following his participation in the demonstration.

The plea alleges that the notice was issued without an inquiry, a show-cause notice or an opportunity for Khan to explain his position. It also says the authorities did not provide reasons or supporting material to establish the alleged violation.

“The notice has been issued without disclosing any reasons, supporting material, or specific statutory contravention. It was issued without inquiry, a show-cause notice, or any opportunity for the Petitioner (Khan) to respond to the alleged violations,” the plea said.

Khan’s petition further argues that neither the existing law nor the statutory rules expressly prevent OCI cardholders from participating in peaceful protests.

The actor joined a demonstration at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10, seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He was briefly detained during the protest. The FRRO notice was issued days after the incident. Check the documents here:

OCI cardholders: Rights and restrictions under Indian law

The Citizenship Act, 1955, sets out the legal framework governing Overseas Citizen of India cardholders. The scheme is available to eligible foreign citizens of Indian origin and certain foreign spouses of Indian citizens or OCI cardholders. Khan holds US citizenship and is registered as an OCI cardholder, according to an earlier PTI report.

The Bureau of Immigration clarified on Friday that OCI status does not confer Indian citizenship. Cardholders cannot vote in India or occupy certain elected and constitutional offices. The government agency outlined the benefits and limitations associated with the status in a detailed post on X.

According to the bureau, OCI cardholders cannot become members of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, a state Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council. They are also barred from holding constitutional posts, including those of President, Vice President, and judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court.

The restrictions also extend to public employment. OCI cardholders are not eligible for appointment to posts or public services connected with the affairs of the Union or any state, the bureau said. They are also prohibited from acquiring agricultural land, farmhouses or plantation properties in India.

Khan’s plea is expected to be mentioned for an urgent hearing before a Bombay High Court division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna.

(With PTI inputs)

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