Mumbai Police Gives Imran Khan Until October 28 to Leave India

A deadline now hangs over actor Imran Khan. Mumbai Police has told him to leave India by October 28, after he appeared at a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The notice came Thursday, five days after the August Kranti Maidan gathering, where police detained Khan and hundreds of others. He is a US citizen and an Overseas Citizen of India, or OCI, cardholder. ^6,8

The October 10 protest backed the Cockroach Janta Party movement and called for Kumar to resign over concerns about voter-list changes. Police said the gathering lacked permission at that site and detained Khan along with other protesters. The actor later posted a picture from a police van with the caption, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.” On Thursday, police said they issued the order to leave because Khan took part despite not being an Indian citizen. ^1,6,8

The notice has implications beyond Khan’s case: it draws attention to what political activity foreign nationals with OCI status may take part in while living in India. An OCI card offers eligible people of Indian origin long-term entry and other benefits, but does not make them Indian citizens. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya complained about Khan’s participation and asked authorities to act, alleging he had broken OCI rules. A notice is an administrative action, not a court finding that Khan committed an offence. Its legal basis and effects depend on the reasons authorities give and the rules they apply. ^1,4,8

Authorities have set October 28 as the date by which Khan must leave the country. The protest itself grew from opposition to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and Khan said he attended as a Mumbai resident, not to make demands. The immediate next step is clear: Khan must respond to the notice or leave by the deadline. ^1,6