Court gives actor Imran Khan until November 2 to stay in India

The October 28 deadline is on hold: the Bombay High Court paused an order requiring actor Imran Khan to leave India. It gave him protection until November 2. Khan, a US citizen, faced having to leave while his legal challenge was still awaiting a hearing. The court’s order keeps the deadline from taking effect for now. ^1,2

November 2 is the next hearing date for Khan’s challenge to a notice from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office. The notice followed his brief detention during an October 10 protest in Mumbai, which called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over changes to electoral rolls. Indian law can treat foreign nationals’ participation in political protests as breaking immigration rules. Khan says he did not join the gathering or have ties to its organisers. ^1,2,8

That disputed account matters because the notice could affect more than Khan’s immediate ability to stay. He has challenged it as arbitrary and unconstitutional, and says he has held Overseas Citizen of India status. Separately, the FRRO has asked him to explain why that status should not be revoked. The court has not ruled on whether the authorities were entitled to issue the notice or whether Khan took part in the protest. It has only paused the order while the case proceeds. ^2,8

The temporary protection rests on the Centre’s promise that it will take no forceful action against Khan until November 2. That gives both sides time to address his petition without forcing him to leave by the original October 28 deadline. The Bombay High Court is scheduled to hear the case again on November 2, when it can consider the challenge and the government’s response. ^2,7