In a major legal relief for Bollywood actor Imran Khan, the Bombay High Court has placed on hold a directive issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) that ordered him to leave the country by October 28.
The interim protection will remain in force until November 2, 2026, when the High Court is scheduled to formally take up the actor’s petition challenging the eviction notice.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna passed the order after the Central government requested additional time to file its formal response to Khan’s writ petition. Assuring the bench that no coercive steps would be taken against the actor in the interim, the court directed that the operation of the challenged FRRO order remain in complete abeyance.
What Transpired in Court: Arguments and Interim Protection
During the high-stakes hearing, the Central government’s counsel sought an adjournment to compile a detailed counter-affidavit.
- The Urgent Push by Defence: Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond, representing Imran Khan alongside MZM Legal, emphasized the pressing urgency of the matter, pointing out that under the FRRO directive, the actor was mandated to leave Indian territory by October 28.
- Assurance by the Centre: Responding to the defense’s concerns, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) assured the bench that the government would not take any deportation steps before the next date of hearing.
- The Court’s Observation: Observing that the matter primarily concerned administrative procedures and civil consequences rather than any criminal wrongdoing, Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi granted the adjournment and ordered the FRRO directive to be kept on hold till November 2 at 3:00 PM.
“ASG seeks time. Matter stands over to November 2 at 3 pm. The order under challenge shall be kept in abeyance till the next date,” the Division Bench ruled.
The Genesis of the Dispute: Anti-CEC Protest and the OCI Question
The legal controversy stems from an incident on October 10, 2026, when Imran Khan was briefly detained by the Mumbai Police at August Kranti Maidan. The actor had visited the venue during a public demonstration organized in support of a campaign by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- US Citizenship & OCI Status: Born in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, Imran Khan is an American citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which grants him a lifelong multiple-entry visa to reside and work in India.
- The FRRO Directive: On October 14, the FRRO Mumbai issued a “Leave India Notice” under Sections 7(2)(C) and 29 of the newly enacted Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, citing alleged violations of visa and OCI terms due to his presence at a political gathering.
- Show-Cause Proceedings: Subsequently, on October 17, the FRRO issued a separate show-cause notice asking Khan why his OCI card should not be formally cancelled.
In his petition titled Imran Khan Pal v. Union of India & Ors., the actor challenged the eviction order as “unconstitutional, manifestly arbitrary, and disproportionate,” arguing that he was neither an organizer nor an active political participant, but had merely visited the location as an interested citizen before being surrounded by media and detained.
Official Statements from Both Sides
Addressing the bench and the public narrative, both legal teams have outlined their core stances:
Imran Khan’s Legal Team:
In court submissions and statements released through MZM Legal, Khan’s defense maintained that the FRRO acted without granting him a fair hearing:
“The petitioner was issued an exit order without being afforded an opportunity to be heard, violating basic principles of natural justice. Mere presence in a public gathering does not constitute an adverse security threat or an illegal political act justifying summary deportation of a lifelong OCI cardholder.”
The Central Government & FRRO:
While the Additional Solicitor General provided an oral undertaking in court that no immediate action would be taken, central authorities maintain that foreign nationals and OCI cardholders must strictly adhere to statutory immigration conditions:
“Foreign nationals residing in India under specific statutory permissions are subject to the regulatory frameworks governing public order and national security. The government will present its detailed records and counter-affidavit before the High Court on the scheduled date.”
With the Bombay High Court pausing the eviction order, Imran Khan remains protected in India as all eyes now turn to the crucial November 2 hearing, where the court will examine the scope of OCI rights and administrative immigration powers.
By: Bollyo
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