Bombay High Court Defers Hearing on Actor Imran Khan’s ‘Leave India’ Notice

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Monday deferred the hearing regarding actor Imran Khan’s challenge to a “Leave India” notice issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The actor, a U.S. citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, had been ordered by authorities to depart the country by October 28 following his alleged involvement in protests directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The matter was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna. During the morning proceedings, the court was informed that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta would represent the government’s position. However, after the case was kept for the afternoon session, Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond, appearing for Mr. Khan, requested an adjournment. Consequently, the bench has scheduled the next hearing for Tuesday, October 27, at 3:00 p.m.—a critical timeline given that the deadline for the actor’s departure is set for the following day.

Challenge to Arbitrary Notice

The legal petition filed by Mr. Khan argues that the FRRO’s directive is both arbitrary and lacking in procedural due process. Represented by a legal team including Zulfikar Memon, Parvez Memon, and Chirag Naik, the actor asserts that the notice was issued in a highly reactionary manner. He claims the order came within a mere five days of complaints raised by certain political figures, without any independent investigation or verification of the claims against him.

Central to Mr. Khan’s argument is the lack of transparency in the administrative process. The petition states that the notice failed to explicitly identify which provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, or the Citizenship Act, 1955, were allegedly breached. Furthermore, the actor contends that he was never issued a show-cause notice, nor was he granted an opportunity to present his side before the extreme measure of a deportation notice was taken.

Allegations of Wrongful Detention

Addressing the events that triggered the government’s action, Mr. Khan has denied any active role in the protests at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan. According to his filing, he arrived at the location at a time when no demonstrations were occurring. He maintains that the subsequent police action—which involved his detention along with family members—was entirely unjustified. The petition details that they were driven across Mumbai for nearly an hour before being transported to the Yellow Gate police station, only to be released later.

Mr. Khan’s legal team emphasized his lifelong personal ties to India and his clean criminal record as factors that should have been considered by the authorities. By sidelining his status as an OCI cardholder, the actor argues the state has acted in a disproportionate manner. The court is now expected to weigh these claims against the government’s stance when the hearing resumes on Tuesday.

With the October 28 deadline looming, the judicial outcome will determine whether Mr. Khan receives interim protection or if he must face the potential for prosecution under the Immigration and Foreigners Act.

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