MUMBAI: In a significant legal reprieve, the Bombay High Court has granted interim relief to actor Imran Khan, keeping the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) ‘Leave India’ notice in abeyance until November 2.
The interim order comes just ahead of the October 28 deadline that had been mandated by the authorities for the actor to exit the country.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna deferred the hearing after Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the Centre, sought time to enable Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to present arguments. Concurrently, the central authorities assured the court that no coercive steps or actions would be taken against Khan until the next date of hearing.
Background of the Dispute
The legal battle stems from an incident on October 10, when Mumbai Police briefly detained Khan, along with his partner Lekha Washington and cousin Zayn Marie Khan, near August Kranti Maidan during a political demonstration. The protest was held in support of an agitation regarding the electoral rolls.
Following a police report and subsequent complaints, the FRRO issued a Leave India Notice (LIN) on October 14, invoking provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. The notice directed the US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder to leave the country by October 28. Additionally, the FRRO initiated separate show-cause proceedings regarding the potential revocation of his OCI status.
Key Contentions in the Petition
Represented by a legal team including Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond along with advocates Zulfiquar Memon, Parvez Memon, and Kunal Vajani, Khan moved the High Court via a writ petition (Imran Khan Pal v. Union of India & Ors.) challenging the directive:
- Arbitrary and Perverse Action: The petition characterized the FRRO notice as “illegal, arbitrary, perverse, and drastic,” arguing it was issued without fair procedure or a proper display of statutory contravention.
- Violation of Fundamental Rights: Khan contended that the extreme measure of expulsion was slapped on the basis of an unproven FIR without allowing the regular criminal justice process to take its course, infringing upon basic principles of natural justice and equality.
- Lack of Active Involvement: The actor maintained that he was merely present out of curiosity while passing by the crowd and left immediately upon police instruction, asserting he had no formal links to the event organizers.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond highlighted the impending October 28 deadline. In response to the Centre’s request for an adjournment, the bench recorded the official assurance that no coercive measures would be enforced against the actor.
“In light of the above, the Impugned ‘Leave India Notice’ dated October 14, 2026, issued to the Petitioner by the Respondent No. 2 – Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), will be kept in abeyance, until the adjourned date of hearing i.e., November 2, 2026.” — Bombay High Court
The High Court has formally listed the matter for November 2, where it will review the core legality of the notice and the ongoing OCI proceedings.
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