Actor Imran Khan has been told to leave India by October 28. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai issued the notice days after he joined a protest at the city's August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai Police said on Thursday, October 15. Imran, who holds US citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, has challenged it in the Bombay High Court.
The case has also reportedly put his much-awaited Bollywood comeback on hold. Here's what we know so far.
What the notice says
According to The Hindu, the notice was issued for violating the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which replaced the old Foreigners Act. Senior officials told the paper that action was initiated under Section 7 of the law, which gives the Centre broad powers over the entry, stay and departure of foreign nationals.
"Mr. Khan's acts are in violation of visa conditions and the provisions of Foreigners Act. Suo motu action has been initiated in the matter. Law will take its due course," a senior officer told The Hindu. Police said they had not acted on a private complaint.
The New Indian Express, however, reported that the notice followed a complaint by former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, which Gamdevi police forwarded to the FRRO. Somaiya told The Hindu he had filed a complaint against "American citizen Imran Khan" and welcomed the action.
Why the protest matters
Imran was among those detained on October 10 at a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It was organised in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party. The New Indian Express reported that his partner Lekha Washington, his mother Nusrat and his niece were also detained, along with around 400 others. He was released the same evening and posted a photo from a police van with the caption, "Apparently, I'm going for a drive."
We covered that day in "Imran Khan Detained at Mumbai Protest With Lekha Washington — Released Hours Later, He Signed Off With 'Jai Hind'."
At the protest, Imran said he had come as a resident of the city, not with demands. "I am here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted. Why are people's voices being suppressed?" he said, as quoted by The New Indian Express.
What the law says about OCI cardholders
An OCI card gives a foreign national of Indian origin a lifelong, multiple-entry visa. It does not make someone an Indian citizen, and it does not carry political rights such as voting. The Indian Express explains that the constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly under Article 19 are guaranteed to citizens and don't extend to foreign nationals in the same way.
Under the 2025 Act, Section 29 allows the Centre to direct the removal of a foreigner for violating the law or its rules, or on an adverse security report. The Indian Express notes that the exact grounds cited against Imran remain unclear, and that cancelling an OCI card and ordering someone to leave are separate legal actions.
Imran Khan goes to the Bombay High Court
Imran has filed a challenge to the notice. The New Indian Express reports that a division bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna will hear the matter, and that advocates Zulfiquar Memon, Parvez Memon and Chirag Naik of MZM Legal LLP are representing him. India Today reports that his challenge questions whether any rule expressly bars OCI holders from peaceful protest. The court has not ruled yet.
The notice has also turned political. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule told The Hindu that "everyone has the right to protest," and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the move showed the government "is scared."
His comeback film is reportedly on hold
Imran, the nephew of Aamir Khan, is best known for Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na and Delhi Belly. He was set to return after almost a decade with the Netflix film Adhure Hum Adhure Tum, which was scheduled for December 18.
According to mid-day, sources say the release is now likely to be deferred, and the promotional campaign is on hold until there is clarity on his status. Netflix and the makers have not made an official announcement.
FAQ
Why has Imran Khan been asked to leave India?
The FRRO says he violated visa conditions and the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, by joining the October 10 protest in Mumbai.
What is Imran Khan's citizenship?
He is a US citizen and holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, according to multiple reports.
Has Imran Khan challenged the notice?
Yes. He has approached the Bombay High Court, and the matter is before a division bench.
Is Adhure Hum Adhure Tum delayed?
Reportedly. Mid-day says the December 18 release is likely to be deferred, but nothing has been officially confirmed.
Cover photo: TeachAIDS / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0