Imran Khan challenges FRRO leave India order in Bombay High Court
The actor has petitioned the court to stay an order requiring him to exit the country by 28 October after attending a demonstration in Mumbai.
Actor Imran Khan has moved the Bombay High Court to challenge an order from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) directing him to leave India by 28 October.
Petition filed in Bombay High Court
The petition, e-filed on Saturday through law firm MZM Legal LLP, requests an urgent stay and quashing of the FRRO notice issued on 14 October. Khan, a United States national and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder who has lived in the country since infancy, argues that the directive fails to specify any statutory breach under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
The action follows Khan's presence at an October 10 demonstration at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan concerning electoral roll revisions and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Following complaints regarding foreign nationals participating in political demonstrations, immigration authorities invoked statutory provisions under the 2025 immigration framework to issue the departure directive.
| Date | Event | Authority or Party | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 October 2026 | Public demonstration | Mumbai Police / Imran Khan | Held at August Kranti Maidan |
| 14 October 2026 | Leave India notice | FRRO Mumbai | Mandates departure by 28 October |
| 17 October 2026 | Petition e-filed | Bombay High Court | Seeking urgent stay and cancellation |
| 17 October 2026 | Show cause notice | FRRO Mumbai | Issued regarding foreign citizen status |
Regulatory compliance and administrative rules
Former Member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya had submitted a complaint to public authorities, pointing out that foreign citizens holding OCI status are bound by regulatory conditions regarding political activities and requesting formal verification of compliance.
The FRRO notice cites provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and directs compliance by 28 October under threat of legal proceedings. On Saturday, authorities also issued a follow-up show cause notice regarding his OCI status. Khan's legal team, comprising advocates Zulfiquar Memon, Parvez Memon and Chirag Naik, is set to mention the matter for an urgent hearing on Monday.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline to leave India | 28 October 2026 | Foreigners Regional Registration Office notice |
| Date of initial notice | 14 October 2026 | Foreigners Regional Registration Office |
| Date of demonstration | 10 October 2026 | Mumbai Police |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Imran Khan | Actor challenging the FRRO departure notice in the High Court. |
| Foreigners Regional Registration Office | Immigration agency that issued the departure notice. |
| Bombay High Court | Judicial body where the petition was filed. |
