Bombay HC shields actor Imran Khan from leave-India notice till November 2 hearing

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted interim relief to Bollywood actor Imran Khan. The court asked the Union government not to take any action till the next hearing on November 2 on a notice that directed Khan to leave India.

Khan is a citizen of the United States (US) and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder. He challenged the notice of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in the High Court. The notice asked him to leave the country by October 28. It said he had allegedly violated immigration laws by taking part in a protest in Mumbai on October 10 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

A bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna heard the petition. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh appeared for the Centre. He told the court that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was not available to argue the matter and sought an adjournment. The Centre also gave an oral assurance that no action would be taken on the notice till the next hearing. The court recorded the assurance.

In his petition, Khan has described the notice as illegal, arbitrary and disproportionate. He argues that the authorities did not specify which violations he had committed, nor did they offer any evidence in support. Khan also says he was not given an opportunity to present his side and explain himself before the order to leave the country was issued.

The actor has also said in the petition that no provision of law expressly bars OCI cardholders from taking part in peaceful protests.

The FRRO issued the notice after a complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who alleged that Khan had violated immigration rules by joining the protest.

The court's interim protection means that, as long as the matter is pending, Khan will not have to leave India by the October 28 deadline. The next hearing is on November 2.