Imran Khan apologises, Bombay High Court pauses leave-India notice

Actor Imran Khan told the Bombay High Court he was sorry for joining a protest and would not join future demonstrations. His lawyer promised this on his behalf, and the actor offered an unconditional apology. The court kept its notice ordering him to leave India on hold until December 7, allowing him to stay while his case continues. ^2,6

The December 7 hearing concerns a notice from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, which had ordered Khan to leave by October 28. Khan, a US citizen with an Overseas Citizen of India card, challenged the order in court. He was briefly detained at a Mumbai protest on October 10 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over changes to voter lists, known as the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR. ^5,9

The protest is where the court drew a firm line between Indian citizens and OCI cardholders. The judges said the right to protest belongs to Indian citizens, and an OCI card does not give Khan the same rights. An OCI card lets people of Indian origin live and work in India, but does not make them citizens. Khan’s lawyers have argued he did not organise or join the protest, and was nearby to see what was happening. ^2,5,12

Khan’s case against the notice is still before the court, so Monday’s apology did not settle whether the government was right to order him to leave. The judges extended their pause on the notice and set the next hearing for December 7. Until then, the FRRO notice remains on hold, and Khan can stay in India. ^2,6