Imran Khan tenders unconditional apology in Bombay High Court; stay on Leave India notice continues

Bollywood actor Imran Khan tendered an unconditional apology in the Bombay High Court on November 2, 2026. He also filed an affidavit stating that he will not take part in any political agitation in India in future. The court accepted the apology and the affidavit and granted an interim stay on the "Leave India notice" issued to him. The next hearing in the case will be on December 7, 2026.

The hearing was held before a bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna. The bench reminded Imran Khan that he is a holder of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. According to the court, OCI cardholders do not enjoy all the rights that Indian citizens do. The court questioned his stand on joining a political agitation against the government or the system while living in India.

The court also gave an example. It said that if an Indian citizen went to the United States and joined a movement there, he would be sent back to India on the next flight. The court expressed displeasure at Imran Khan's stand through this example.

During the hearing, the court asked him another important question. Imran Khan was born in India, grew up here from childhood, was educated in India and built his identity as an actor in Bollywood. The court asked why, despite this, he has not taken Indian citizenship so far.

Initially, Imran Khan had tried to give a written assurance that he would not take part in agitations in future. The court, however, made it clear that an assurance alone was not enough. It said an unconditional apology was necessary for it to consider the petition. Imran Khan's lawyers then presented an unconditional apology and an affidavit in court.

Taking the apology and affidavit into account, the court granted him interim relief. The stay on the "Leave India notice" issued against him has been continued. This means he can stay in India until the next hearing. The court also referred to the principle of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" and directed that Imran Khan be given an opportunity to present his side.

The case arises from a political agitation against the election commissioners at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai, in which Imran Khan took part. Mumbai Police subsequently detained him for a short time.

Imran Khan was born in India but holds American citizenship. He lives in India on an OCI card. After he joined the agitation, a "Leave India notice" was issued against him, which he challenged in court. The court has now granted interim relief in view of his apology, and attention will be on what happens at the December 7 hearing.